ELECTORAL REFORM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21214, 20 December 1930, Page 13

ELECTORAL REFORM

HOUSE OF COMMONS BILL,

THE ALTERNATIVE VOTE.

(British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.)

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, December 18.

The National Executive of the Labour Party has approved of the inclusion of the alternative vote in the forthcoming Electoral Reform Bill in addition to the points laid out in the Labour programme of electoral reform approved by the recent annual party conference. These include a reduction of election expenses, the publication of accounts by political parties, prohibition of the use of motor cars af the elections except for the sick and infirm, the abolition of plural voting and a universal qualification, the division of double-membered constituencies into two single member constituencies, and a reduction in the costs of election petitions.

By 133 votes to 20 a joint meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party, the National Executive, and the Labour peers approved of the text of the Electoral Reform Bill, including the alternative vote.

LABOUR PARTY’S ATTITUDE,

PROTEST FROM MR MAXTON,

LONDON, December 18. (Received Dec. 19, at 5.5 p.m.) _ According to lobbyists important decisions were reached at a joint meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party and the National Executive of Labour Peers. It ia understood that the meeting approved of the text of the Electoral Reform Bill, including the alternative vote, restriction on the use of motor care at elections, the division of two-member constituencies, and reductions in candidates’ expenses. Mr Mnxton vehemently protested that the Bill meant yielding to the Liberals’ blackmail.

Mr MacDonald and Mr Henderson denied that there was any pact with the Liberals, but members admit that they obtained the impression that the price obtained for the alternative vote is Liberal support for the Trades Disputes Bill. t Sir Oswald Mosley surprised everyone by accepting the Electoral Reform Bill and appealing for party unity. Mr MacDonald declared that it would be political suicide to go to the country at present.

Mr Henderson, in supporting this view, made it clear that! the party was aiming at remaining in office for a further two years. The hope was expressed that unemployment would diminish.