PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 28 November 1922, Page 2

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

(To the Editor) Sir—Because I conceded a point to Mr Allport he was very gleeful in Saturday’s issue. He got one lolly in the scramble and patted himself on the hack. The following from the Otago Bftily Times’ (22nd hist.) report of Mr UK. Sidey’s speech at Dunedin South on Nov. 2isfc may interest him and others. Speaking as an advocate of electoral reform Mr Sidey, M.P. (Liberal), said: “Reform in their 1912 Budget promised the country that ‘the system of second ballots will bo repealed and another method of election substifilled.” Referring to proportional representation in the House in 1909, Mr Massey said, “I should like him (the Minister of Education) now to introduce a Bill providing for proportional representation, and I promise him he’would have my hearty support in connection therewith. As I have said the system can only be,operated in large districts—districts returning not less than three members. In such cases you get away from the parochial influences that exist under our present system. Not a single vote is lost. Every vote is accounted for and used up, and every elector will feel when Parliament is, elected that he has a direct representation in Parliament. That is impossible under existing circumstances. Wc talk about the country being in the van of progress, I hope it will be in the van of progress as far as

proportional representation is concerned.” It was difficult to believe that these words were spoken by the same person who was now TVime Minister, and yet during last session divisions were token first, on the establishment of proportional representation, and second on the alternative /vote in the single electorates, but the Reform Government voted against any alteration in the existing system ! I am, etc., W. J. MOFFATT.