Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, SEPT. 20, 1930. ELECTORAL REFORM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 253, 20 September 1930, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. SATURDAY, SEPT. 20, 1930. ELECTORAL REFORM.

The Parliamentary Committee which was set uj) 111 Britain to consider electoral reform failed to reach an agreement. The three main parties were represented, with \iscount Ullswater as chairman. The main purpose of the Committee was to arrive at a general agreement ,as to the amendment of the electoral laws, and in a letter to the Prime Minister, reviewing- the proceedings of the conference, the chairman mentioned the impossibility of reaching- an agreement. The conference could only, at the best, submit a few resolutions carried on party lines which, Viscount Ullswater pointed out, would not fulfil the puipose in view when the Committee was set up. Duringten sittings the Committee thoroughly examined and debated the merits of proportional representation and of the alternative vote,, as compared with each other and with the existing- system. When it became evident that there would be difficulty in reaching a general agreement on the question wiiether the existing- system of election should be replaced by another, and wliat form the latter should take, a vote was taken on resolutions put forward by the Liberal section. Thirteen Liberal and Conservative members voted in favour of a proposal that any change in the Parliamentary electoral system should include the •adoption of proportional representation with the single transferable vote, eight Labour members opposing the motion. The Conservative support, however, was conditional upon it being decided that a change must be made. The retention of certain divisions as single member constituencies was carried by eleven votes to eight, the minority being Labour, but a proposal that the method of the alternative vote should be adopted in these constituencies was defeated by thirteen votes to five, the Liberals being in the minority. Another proposal—that special provision should be made for proportional representation constituencies, to permit of byelections being held in divisions of a constituency— was carried by eitrhl votes to one, nirie members abstaining! Jt was explained on behalf of the Liberals that in the event of proportional representation not being finally accepted they would be prepared to consider the adoption of the alternative vote generally as be'ing preferable to the present system. The Conservatives Were not prepared to agree, to the alternative vote in any circumstances, while

none of the Labour Party was willing to support the alternative vote by itself, though they were prepared to accept it on condition that other reforms were adopted at the same time. These related mainly to the reduction of election expenses, party election expenditure, speakers’ expenses, use of motor cars at elections, plural voting, two-member constituencies and to election petitions. It was the desire of the Conservatives to add to the programme intimidation and personation, rowdyism at meetings, and the slander of candidates or party ..leaders, but the proceedings were discontinued when it became apparent that an agreement could not be reached. To those who, in this country, are prepared to advocate the adoption of proportional representation in lieu of the present “first-past-the-post” system, the comment of the London Times is instructive. In all probability, remarked the Times, this method of election has made;its last serious public appearance in Britain. The danger that the Constitution will be pedantically rigged in favour of dissidence has receded for a generation, if not for ever, and the existing system will perhaps be left to apply its own remedies. The alternative vote, of which more may be heard, it added, may seejn a slighter change and less objectionable than proportional representation. But it is still a device to weaken the responsibility of the elector, and to create a “majority” by adding to an inadequate quantum of wholehearted first thoughts a miscellany of half-hearted second thoughts. In the opinion of the Times the objects of the alternative vote can be more honestly sought by straightforward party understandings, and it points out that would-be reformers of the representative system are too much concerned with anatomy and too little with life. “They ignore,”, says this journal, “the living safeguard in politics which is the political sense. They even ignore the recurrence of general elections. A Government which has more power than its votes deserve is the more careful not to abuse it, and minorities can make up in influence for much of what they lack in seats. When the time and the issue come, and a national verdict cannot be -withheld, disproportions tend to correct themselves.” THE REFORM PARTY. Ax optimistic outlook for the future was the keynote of the speech delivered by lit. Hon. J. G. Coates to the annual conference of the Reform Party in Wellington this week. 'The fact that, if an election were to take place to-morrow, the party was well equipped for action will be noted with satisfaction by the large body of supporters of Reform throughout the country. Despite its setback at the last general election the Reform Party still commands the greatest following. In Parliament it has proved an ordered and lively opposition, and events are not lacking to show that its return to the Treasury Benches would be welcomed. The very large attendance of delegates is a happy augury for the future, while the steadfast work of me ladies’ auxiliaries and the junior branches of the party should Dear good fruit at the next election. The United Party have been tried, and have failed to convince the country that they are the dominant force in politics they would -have us believe. Dependent as they are on the votes of Lab our to remain in office, their policy to a large extent is dictated by the position they are in. Thr conditions which lost so many Reform seats to the United Party in 1928 do not exist to-day, and supporters who then were wavering or overthrew their allegiance to the Reform Party are . now firmly convinced that its return to power will be in the best interests of the Dominion. With its forces consolidated —and the work is being steadfastly accomplished—the Reform Party, will be able to present a united front to the electors in 1931. The points of policy outlined by. Mr Coates will appeal to all wffio study the welfare of their country.