CRASH OF PARLIAMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21757, 23 March 1934, Page 13

CRASH OF PARLIAMENTS

Sir, —The suggestion to revive plural voting is the most reactionary proposal put forward for a generation. We are innocently informed that it is not intended to take the vote away from anyone. Oh no! But to give two votes to A against B's one vote is much the same as to disfranchise the latter. There is little difference between a system that gives half the population two votes and the other half only one, and a system that cancels the franchise of every second voter. The result would be taxation without representation, and another Boston tea party. The old delusion that the man with a "stake" in the country is more concerned with the interests of the community as a whole, will not deceive many. One of the greatest curses inflicted on New Zealand has,been "political railways," the result of pressure brought to bear on politicians by "stake" owners. It is only too trye that the present parliamentary system is looked upon with indifference, if not contempt, but the remedy is not to put the oak back into the acorn. Not a reactionary, but a forward policy is needed. 1 The electoral law should be reformed so that" Parliament may be elected on a proportional representation basis, and the Cabinet by the members of the House. With these electoral reforms a better class of men would stand for Parliament, and the best brains of the House, irrespective of party colour, would form the Cabinet. If this system did not work we might well despair of democratic government. ' C.H.N.