ELECTORS’ DUTY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 9 October 1924, Page 5

ELECTORS’ DUTY

REGISTRATION COMPULSORY

“FIRST PAST THE POST.”

P.R. PROPOSAL DROPPED. (By Telegraph. Special to the Star.) q WI WELLINGTON, Oct. 8. „rnJn ?i ° f -, lts tot ' mer proposal to £ °i l . p the city constituents under proportional representation, and to procountry 11 " X 0"’“ voti "g the countiy, the Government measure to amend the electoral law waT Intro. duced to-day by Governor’s message Ji "’ as t g r et , ed >y the Opposition with a declaration that the Goveriiment had completely failed to keep taith on its promise to secure electoral reform The Premier, who was immediately questioned on the matter said lie proposed to proceed with the Dill this session in sufficient time to allow it to reach the Statute" Book Answering a member’s interaction, What does it contain?” Mr. Massev lephed : “I think the member will be more _ interested in what it' does not contain. It does not contain any inference to proportional representation or preferential voting. These are two big things that were in the last Mill, but there are some -useful proposals in this Bill, the effect of which will be to reduce the cost of elections by. about £13,000. Mr. Witty: For the candidates or the Government? Mr. Massey : For the country ■ He explained that it provided for the compulsory registration of electors, but not for compulsory voting. Compulsory registration had been tried in countries which w«re well satisfied with the system. There were also important alterations to simplify the system of absent voters’, permits. Mr. Wilford: Are there any proposals for the alteration of the electoral system? Mr. Massey: Yes. one dr two. Members, he said, would recollect that there had been some experience of the unsatisfactory operation of the present system, under which electors could vote in the district in which they had .resided one month. The' Bill would provide for the former period of three months’ residence before qualification. Answering a question from Mr. Holland, Mr. Massey said he would look into the point of making the electoral roll the final test of the electors right to vote. There was a provision in the Bill that before an elector could be struck off he must be notified. Mr. Wilford: Is there any alteration in the first oast the post system? Mr. Massey: No; none at all." The Bill is there and members are at liberty to move any amendments they like. They are entitled to do so. Hon. Hanan : It will not be a party measure ? Mr. Massey: No. it will not be a party measure, but I hope to see every line on the Statute Book. Mr. Parry: You are handling it very softly. Mr. Wilford : Then I take it this Bill is a. climb down. Mr. Massey: Take what vou like. Mr. Wilford reminded the House that the first Bill provided for proportional . representation in the cities and preferential voting iu the country. This had been abandoned, and the Premier had said there was no alteration from the “first past the post” system, but he told them it was open to members to make any alteration thev liked, but he (the speaker) believed this was not possible for the reason that immediately a member moved for the insertion of some system of voting the motion would be ruled out of order as involving some expenditure. “Our hands are tied.” concluded Mr. Wilford, “and I put it to the Prime Minister that this is not what was promised, and I must say the undertaking lie gave the House has not been satisfied. Mr. Massev replied that Mr. Wilford had only told part of the story. A Bill had been brought down which allowed the House to decide whether it would adopt proportional representation or preferential voting. That measure was obstructed for weeks and weeks, and it was quite evident that there was no possibility of it reaching the Statute Book during the present session "without other work being allowed to stand over. As to the question as to whether any., new proposal would be considered an appropriation. he was not certain. Mr. Wilford: Will you undertake the point will not he raised? Mr. Massey replied that he could not give that promise, as anyone had a right to raise a point of order. Mr. Holland said the Government had acted very wisely in dropping the “shandy gaff” proposal embodied in the previous Bill. Labour would prefer to see the system of proportional representation to' the present system. If the Premier would put in’a clause Providing for proportional representation,, ho would receive the united support, of the Labour benches. Hon. Hanan said members did not .believe in “the first nast the post” system, but it was being retained because a section of the House objected to proportional representation and the Government had run away. He hoped before the measure was passed that there would be some eleetoral reform introduced. Unless there was a change there would be chaos. There could be no stable Government formed owing to there being so many sections and ptvHies. R’iglit thinking people were dissatisfied with the present state of affairs and all were being blamed. He believed that at the next election the people would end those who would not mend these things. Mr. Voiteh regarded the measure in its modified form as a distinct violation of the Premier’s clearly given promise of the three months period Mid it had been introduced because the "Premier blamed the one month period for the loss of the Oam aru seat. Mr M °ssey denied that lie had been guiltv of a breach of faith. T he first Bill was obstructed. This Bill was not as comprehensive as the other, but it. was one with which the House could do as it pleased. The House could put preferential voting into the Bill if a majority favoured it, nr if there was a majority for proportional renresentntion that could go into the Bill. There was no justification in attempting to leave the implication that there had been any running away. After further discussion the Bill was read a first time. Tie Legislature Amendment Bill, which was the subject of the above discussion, threw the onus on persons to apply for registration as electors. Whether they are already enrolled or not. thev must anplv to the Registrar of Electors within four months from the commencement of the operation of