COUNTRY QUOTA

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32672, 4 February 1946, Page 7

COUNTRY QUOTA

RURAL CONSTITUENCIES “SHOULD BE REDUCED ” RATHER THAN INCREASED (By H. M. RUSHWORTH) The proposals mean a substantial enlargement, and reduction, in number of the rural constituencies. The argument in favour of the abolition of the country quota appears to rest solely on the conception that “Democracy,” as a system of government, can be operated by the simple expedient of counting heads in favour of or against more or less vague programmes submitted to the electorates by rival political parties. If this were all minorities would have no rights, privileges or even protection. They could be subjected to concentration camps, slavery, or death. It is evident, then, that, to those of British descent, the democratic form of government must, and does, take cognisance of other factors beyond the

mere counting of heads. It is clear that those other factors cannot be such as to give minorities power to exploit or subjugate the majority.

What are these other factors, then? It is difficult to define them in precise terms. We can use such phrases as “fair play,” “common sense,” “expediency,” etc., etc., but these terms in turn need definition. Perhaps the term “expediency” will serve our purpose for the moment. Expediency Factor An example of the expediency factor can be given in the case of the , English universities. Although the system of election in Great Britain is based on adult suffrage there is an additional vote given and exercised by the senior members of certain constituencies, e.g., a Graduand of one of the Oxford Colleges may be resident in, say, Hertfordshire. He has a vote in his county constituency and also a vote for the University representative in Parliament. So far, no adverse criticism of this expedient factor has been voiced and the most ardent Parliamentary reformer in England would admit that no enrichment of Parliament would result if this expedient were abolished in favour of a slavish adherence to the idea of one man one vote. Common sense prevents an extension and possible abuse of this expedient factor.Please note that, with Parliaments constituted as they are, it is not sufficient for certain sections of the people to have merely a voice in the decisions: that voice must be effective if it is to serve the purpose. In the penal code of some nations, flogging is still the punishment for certain crimes, but when the sentence is being carried out the culprit, if not gagged, may be said to have a voice in the proceedings, but the voice is of little value to him. Rural Industries In the case in point it has been found expedient to use the device of the country quota in New Zealand. The result has been to limit the size of certain rural constituencies. That is to say, the factor of area has been used as an expedient Ito give the rural interests an effective voice in the affairs of the nation. The fact that the rural industries are of such paramount importance to not only the Dominion but in the whole Empire, is the real justification for using this expedient. It may be suggested that modern means of communication have so annihilated or reduced space as to render this expedient unnecessary now. Unfortunately, the ‘problems of life and of society have multiplied both in number and in complexity to such an extent as to more than neutralise the improved means of communication. If he has any sensitivity, the lot of the rural member of Parliament is not a happy one, and, in the opinion of the writer, many rural constituencies should be substantially reduce in area rather than increased.

tension training period on award wages. A further 585 had actually completed training as carpenters and had taken their place as fully fledged tradesmen. Also under training were 28 plasterers, 29 bricklayers and 24 painters, while 14 plasterers, bricklayers and 30 roof-tilers had completed training courses at the centres. There were in addition 129 ex-servicemen undergoing training as carpenters on subsidy with private employers, 15 as bricklayers, 35 as plasterers and 82 as painters.