Does Each Vote Have The Same Value?

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 277, 23 November 1945, Page 4

Does Each Vote Have The Same Value?

(To th® Editor.) Sir, —Considerable misconception o: the reason for rural concern over tin Electoral Amendment Act exists. Th« main reason for the objection is the in stinctive urge towards self-preserva tion. It is not true that the Act give each vote the same value. That is s«> phistry. All votes lose all significant the moment they are cast. They lie come part of a geographical distrxbu tion that is best illustrated by reducti< ad absurdam. If there were as many rural ami semi rural seats as city seats all having averaging 20,001 electors, 38 rum electorates returning candidates for on* party by 20,000 majorities and 38 oil; electorates returning candidates b; majorities of one each for auothr party, the parties would tie. One part; would be supported by 760,000 voter: and the other by 380,038. On population the case would In worse. City electorates average unde one juvenile to two adults, while rura electorates have as high as litl.i per cent, of their population unde voting age. The best way to de populate New Zealand is to continue o increase the transfer of rural popula tion to the towns, but jjoliticians seen intent on carrying on with the job o

reducing families, despite family ben fits.—l am, etc., A- E. ROBINSON.