ELECTION SYSTEM

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1937, Page 2

ELECTION SYSTEM

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIVES. Natives in South Africa voted this month in the first elections under the new system of native representations set up by the Native Representation Act last year. The first elections were in the Cape Province only, where the natives have more direct representation than in the other provinces. Before last year natives could quality as Parliamentary voters in the Cape, and voted in ordinary elections. Now they have three members (Europeans) to represent them exclusively in Parliament, and two members in the Provincial Council.

South African natives in general are represented in two ways. They elect four Senators (Europeans), to watch >ver their interests in the Upper House, and they elect members of their own race to represent hem on the Native Representative Council. This council consists of elected natives, and nominated officials. The elected natives liav... x majority in the council. Under the Native Representation Act, the Government of the Union is oledged to refer to this council all 'egislation directly or indirectly affecting native interests before it is introduced in Parliament. The council will have only advisory powers; Parliament nay override its decisions, but it is hoped that the council will provide the Government with a ready and reliable means of testing responsible native opinion.

Europeans were impressed by the purposefulness and dignity shown by the natives in recording their votes, especially in the- Northern Provinces, •'Acre the natives, having been altodier without representation, have never previously voted.