ELECTORAL REFORM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 10

ELECTORAL REFORM

The possibility that some change may be made in the method of voting at Parliamentary elections, particularly that preferential voting may be given a trial, has been tentatively suggested several times lately. The growing roll of intending candidates, the birth of new parties, and the appearance of numbers of aspirants for seats who declare independence of all parties lend plausibility to the conjectures. The Prime Minister has now indicated that this is not a subject that has been officially considered with a view to early legislation. Mr. Forbes added that attempts had been made to secure the establishment of preferential voting, but there did not seem to be much enthusiasm for it; which is perfectly accurate. In fact, since proportional representation has disappeared from the programme of the Labour Party, nobody seems greatly concerned about electoral reform. A bill embodying the preferential system was introduced by the member for Botorua last session, but it suffered the customary fate of such measures, so sponsored. In contrast with conditions in Australia, New Zealand has not taken kindly to variations of the system which now obtains. The second ballot which prevailed for a time, disappeared without being regretted, and though there have been periodical demands for 'something to take its place, it cannot be claimed there has ever been any great force of public opinion behind them. New Zealand may presently be compelled to reconsider the question in the light of new developments and new political alignments. If that happens it should be approached with an open mind. The one point to be weighed, the one which must rule, is whether a proposed change promises to give better government than the one it would replace. Unless this question can be answered satisfactorily, it is better to leave things as they are. As to immediate prospects, it may be suggested that a session necessarily as brief and as hurried as the one now in prospect does not provide the best conditions for dealing with electoral reform.