ELECTORAL LAW

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8365, 27 February 1913, Page 8

ELECTORAL LAW

SECOND BALLOT DOOMED. Some improvement on the present electoral law, that would secure a better representation both of minorities and of interests unrepresented under the existing system, is considered desirable. By some competent observers, such 1 a change is considered inevitable. That there will be an alteration in the electoral system at no very distant date is highly probable, and the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey) yesterday told a “Times” reporter that, although the matter had not yet engaged the attention of 'Cabinet, an amending Bill would in all probability be submitted to the House next session. Opinion in political circles inclines to the view that some form of preferential voting will be proposed. Under this system the voter indicates his preference by placing numbers alongside the names of candidates on the ballot-paper, and the preference is indicated by the aggregate of . numbers secured by each individual candidate. Meanwhile, however, ,an important inquiry into the proportional system of representation as It has worked in Tasmania has been been conducted by Mr F. W. Mansfield, Registrar of Electors, and . his report should be available at an early date. That the second ballot is doomed is an opinion held by many members of both branches of the Legislature and by authorities who have watched the trend of political thought in the Dominion. During sundry debates In the House last session, members on both sides expressed the opinion that the second ballot must go, the general view being that it had not proved its usefulness or value in the manner anticipated. The whole question of electoral law is, of course, intimately associated with reform of the Legislative Council, and attempts to change the basis of the electoral system will of necessity be of vital concern to the Upper House in view of the proposal that the second chamber should be made elective. It is generally considered probable that some attempt — even a partial one—will be mad© next session to remove the anomalies and defects of the present electoral system, and the proposed legislation, together with the affirmations of the House last session with regard to the constitution of the Legislative Council, may give rise to some far-reaching changes.