ELECTORAL SYSTEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19098, 17 August 1925, Page 7

ELECTORAL SYSTEMS.

Sir,—ln your sub-leader of the 13th instant reference is made to the failure of the proportional system iu New South Wales. This system was originally introduced, as the result of the pressure of public opinion, by opponents or members who were not enthusiastic about tho change. It was made compulsory for electors to number according to their preference the name of every candidate on tho ballot paper, otherwise their votes were invalid. Is it any wonder that'there was a large percentage of invalid votes and that therefore true representation was • not attained ? The above provision was modified for the recent election and ono was substituted—not quite so ridiculous, but still very objectionable—to the effect that electors must show the same number of preferences as the number of members to be elected, otherwise tho vote would be invalid. It must bo remembered that the vote cast under tho proportional system is a single vote, the second and subsequent preferences being merely a direction by the elector as to how his or her vote shall be applied if it is of no use to tho fust preference candidate. Surely, therefore, it is only reasonable that' the elector should Have tho right to express a first preference only, implying, of course, that lie or she does not wish it, to be transferable to any other candidate. There were other provisions which confused many of tho electors, for the proportion of invalid votes was very high, whereas under reasonable conditions it should be very low, because the electors' task is so simple. - < The so-called difficulty as regards tho filling of casual vacancies to which you can bo easily overcome. All that is required is to retain the ballot papers soaled up for tho whole life of tho Parliament, subject only to certain of them being examined when a vacancy arises. When that contingency happens distribute in order of preference the vctes which elected the deceased or retiriwg member among tho candidates who we,\) unsuccessful and continue that distribution until ono man has a majority. By this means those who voted for tho deceased or retiring member —and who alono aro left without representation by tho vacancy—fill that vacancy and again secure" representation. In the unlikely event of the members of an enlarged constituency being return6d unopposed or none of"the unsuccessful candidates being available, it would be necessary to r&sort to the absolute majority system ;• supporters of the proportional method aro, however, reluctant to adopt the Absolut* S43 lilUo WtttJifißE; Hon Sec., Proportional .Representation Society