POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE COMING ELECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25306, 17 August 1943, Page 4

POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE COMING ELECTION

Sir-Mr R. A. Wilkie has expressed the opinion that a multiplicity of candidates in an election contest does not connote vote splitting. With this must emphatically disagree. It is surely obivous that the more widsly the votes are spread the greater is the chance of one candidate getting in on a minor! y vote. This is no more satisfactory to the supporters of the Independent or the new party than it is to those of the old parties. All have been deprived of a fail run through too big a field. _ Mr Wilkie, extolls the aims of the People s Movement as something revolutionary in parliamentary ideals. He should not forget that other parties have high ideals. Experience has shown that these high ideals frequently break down when a party gains, the Treasury benches. The People s Movement. cannot be •„ considered otherwise than as a new party, ana consequently its promises must be viewed with caution. I am considerably impressed with the platform of the Peoples Movement as Svt out in their pamphlet, and would like io see them get as fair a run as any other party at the election. Thai, is why I advocate preferential voting. No party gets a fair run in our present "first past the post” system if there are three or more candidates. It is most improbable that any of the new parties will rise to power in the forthcoming election, but their influence is likely to be a spoiling one for the established parties. Therefore, I consider that the People’s Movement would be . . well advised to withdraw from the present contest, and use all its. influence towards obtaining for New Zealand a better and more democratic' voting system.—l am, etc m Countryman.