LOCAL ELECTIONS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 11 September 1930, Page 6

LOCAL ELECTIONS

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION.

PERMISSIVE MEASURE.

Bio vision for local authorities to adept the proportional representation system approved by the British Proportional ivcipresentation. Society if they so wish is made in the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill (No. 2), which was read a second time in the House of Representatives yesterdayafternoon. At- present the only proportional 'representation method local bodies are allowed) to use is that in force in Tasmania. The sponsor of the Bill is Air. J. McCombs (Lab., Lyttelton) .

Air. AleOombs said that since -he Great War the use of proportional representation had been extended. Practically two-thircls of Europe observed that method of voting and at local and general elections candidates were elected under some system of proportional representation, tine House of Commons at Home had passed quite a. number of proportional representation bills. Proportional representation was the method used in electing the university representatives to the British Parliament.

The history of 'proportional representation in New Zealand was this : The Reform P'arty returned in 1911 with proportional representation as a plank in its platform. It introduced legislation to apply it to the Upper House. A .second Bill provided for a fractional measure of transfer such, as is in force in Tasmania. Any local body in New Zealand! that adopted proportional rear esentati on had to adopt the Tasmanian system, having no other option, “This Bill,” added Mr. McCombs, ‘is simply a- permissive measure. A local authority, if it so wishes, can adopt the latest method approved 1 by the British Proportional Representation Society. It is one that is adopted for electing the educational authorities in Scotland.”—“The Dominion.”