THE SECOND BALLOT.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 260, 20 October 1911, Page 5

THE SECOND BALLOT.

MR. DILLON’S TEA PARTY. AN ELECTION BOOMERANG. fBY TEI.Ei.I: IPII >PF.CI Al. ] (Own Co ire.', pondent.) Wellington. Oct. 19. The Government is evidently finding that the second ballot is a kind of political boomerang that is likely -to hit the thrower before it comes Io the end of its flight. The possible combination of the Reform Party and the Labour Party al the coming second ballots has, no doubt emphasised the dangerous nature of the weapon. Lilt. whatever the K.i-on, there is no doubt that the l.m> rnment is afraid of the result. At a meeting of the parly held on h relay, ostensibly Io have a cup of tea with Mr. Dillon and say goodbye to him on the eve of his retirement from Parliament, the question was brought up. The repeal ef (he Second Ballot Act was suggested. and the putting in its place of a system < f preferential voting. The suggestion was that voters should exercise a preference first and second for candidates at the first ballot. The question was discussed at some length, and as there appeared to he a considerable difference of opinion in the party, it was decided to adjourn the meeting till Monday next when it could be further discussed. When the Monday’s caucus hail assembled, however, the party was not called noon to decide ihe issue. I am informed by a member who was present at the caucus that an intimati.n was made dial in the interval the Cabinet had met and had decided to do nothing. My informant states that there was >c:ae ilissatisfavt:■ n in the party at the action of the Cabinet in stepping in to verrule the caucus after the question had been submitted to it.