The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1921. P.R. IN USE.

Southland Times, Issue 19224, 14 May 1921, Page 4

The Southland Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1921. P.R. IN USE.

Recently the Returning Officer in Christchurch reported to the City Council on the working of proportional representation in the municipal elections and in the course of his statement he supplied the councillors with some interesting details of the voting. Of course, one of the points to which critics of the system pin a lot of their lack of faith, to use something approaching an Irishism, is the number of informal votes and the Christchurch figures at first glance will give pleasure to those who see in Proportional Representation a collection of mathematical evils. The tables shown in the report deal with the four contests in Christchurch last month and show the votes cast, the informal votes and a classification of the invalidating errors. The votes recorded in the four elections were as follows : VOTES RECORDED.

It will be observed that there are thirty-five more votes cast in the mayoral contest than in the election of councillors. The Mayoral poll was based on the old system of straightout voting, there being only two candidates and one seat to fill, but in the council election there were sixteen seats to fill and some twenty-seven candidates. In the Harbour election there were three seats and in the Hospital four. The informal votes in the recent election compared with those recorded in the contest of 1919 under the old-fashioned system are as follows: INFORMAL VOTES.

1921 1919. Elections. Elections. 1. Mayor, per cent .. .. 1.05 1.1 2. Councillors, per cent .. 7.1 2.7 3. Harbour Board, per cent. 8.9 1.3 4. Hospital Board, per cent. 7.0 3.7

These percentages are very piuch against the rofonned system of voting, but it is

i necessary to proceed to the classification of | the errors before coming to any conclusions j of value as to the operation of P.R.. and I the attitude of the elector. It should be , noticed, however, that the percentage of > info(inalities as far as proportional repre- • sentation is concerned is highest in the Harbour Board issue with the smallest number iof candidates and vacancies. The classifica- : tion of the errors shows that almost every i possible irregularity was committed. Can- ' didates’ names were marked out or selected iby a X; the figure 1 or the figures 1 and 2 only were employed instead of the minimum of three preferences; all the figures 1,2, and 3 were put alongside each name; numerals were duplicated or omitted and papers were entirely unmarked. The percentages of the errors in the three issues under P.R. were as follow: CLASSIFICATION OF INFORMAL VOTES

An examination of these figures will show that more than half of the informal votes were invalidated through lack of familiarity with the changes in the systems. It cannot be held against P.R. that electors approach their voting duties without a thought for the alterations made in the methods of marking a paper and without even reading the instructions on the voting paper. In any case it is reasonable to expect thafr this particular error will greatly decrease as the electors become familiar with the new system. Mis-numbering is not so easy to correct but this error represents only 2,4 of the total Votes cast or of 360 in a total poll of 15,000. These figures are so close to the Tasmanian experience as to suggest that the normal number of informal votes in a poll of the size should not exceed 400 and in the counting the absence of 400 votes would not be of much account. With greater experience, of course, this amount of invalid votes would greatly decrease. The cost of the elections in Christchurch last year was £llBB, but of that* sum only £llB was ascribable to counting, which is the chief item in which there is any difference due to proportional representation. Under the old system in 1919 the cost of counting worked out at £69 10s, so that the Increased charges due to the use of the more accurate method of selecting the city’s governors was only £49, and even that expenditure could be reduced materially if the system of counting were shorn of much of its unnecessary elaboration. It Is not necessary to go into details, but the system of counting employed in Christchurch was over-elaborate. Results equally reliable could have been obtained by the use or numerous short-cuts which have been employed in Tasmania and doubtless this aspect will be brought before the government before another election in Christchurch is fought under P.R.

Mrs Gorinski has sold her champion White Leghorn hen to a Christchurch fancier for £3O. Over 70 graduates—the largest number for many years—will wear hood and gown at the forthcoming presentation during capping week at Wellington. At - yesterday’s meeting of the Count} Council it was decided to enforce the by law with regard to hea\y traffic in the roads during winter, after May 1. A man named Frederick McKay, of Wyndham, was admitted to the Southland Hospital last night suffering from an injury to the leg caused by a tree falling on him. Four potatoes grown on Mr A. D. Calder’s property at Lochiel, without manures, weighed 31bs 3oz each, says the Winton Record. They were of the Up-to Date variety, An officer of the Defence Department is at present supervising the erection of temporary wooden crosses on the graves of members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force who were buried at Christchurch, Dunedin, Timaru and Ashburton. A second offender for drunkenness Robert Hutton Potts appeared before Mr G. Qnrickshank, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday morning, and was convicted and fined £2, the amount to be reduced to 10/- if he pay cab hire 30/-. ( The local Woolbrokers’ Association hhs decided to limit its catalogue for the sale in June as it anticipates that there will be a very considerable number of farmers wishing to take advantage of the ruling values whatever they may be. There is an unusually large number of divorce cases to be dealt with by the Supreme Court at Christchurch next week, states our Christchurch correspondent. Of the 41 cases set down, there are 21 applications on the ground of desertion, 14 on the ground of adultery, and six for restitution of conjugal rights. About 12.30 this morning the fire brigade received a call to a house near the intersection of Conon and Biggar streets. On arrival it was found that a quantity of old sacks in the backyard were ablaze, and the application of a bucketful of water was all that was needed to extinguish the flames. The house had been occupied by a family who moved to other quarters on Thursday and had been engaged evidently in burning rubbish that day. A Wellington Press Association telegram states that it is announced by the Minister of Industries and Commerce that the second Netherlands and Indian Industrial Fair will be held in Java in September this year. There will be no restriction on foreign exhibits. Footwear, preserves, building material, etc., will now be admitted, which was not the case before. The Department is advising manufacturers and others interested that if they have any desire to participate the Department will cooperate with exhibitors. Inquiries made yesterday go to show that, in the main, the opinion of local wool brokers is favourable to the decision of the producers and brokers not to hand over the New Zealand wool to the British-Australian Wool Realisation Committee. It is pointed out that with the indications of an improved tone in the London market, it is quite possible that New Zealand will be able to do better than the prices that the Committee intends to hold out for, while there will be the additional advantage that this country will be “free” in the fullest sense in that it will not be bound to any organisation.

Several hundred tons of railway rolling stock have recently been landed in Auckland by British manufacturers for the New Zealand Government. This includes locomotives, wheels for wagons, and a variety of parts of railway trucks. The consignment is portion of an order placed by the 'Government in Britain for 2500 wagons and 45 engines last year. When in Auckland on February 27, the Minister of Railways, referring to the abnormal shortage of railway rolling stock in the Dominion, said that some of the wagon and locomotive parts ordered from Britain had been completed, but would not reach New Zealand in rime for use in this year’s busy season. Apparently, however, a great many trucks and several locomotives have been landed earlier than was anticipated, and as it is now merely a matter of assembling the parts, possibly some of the wagons and the locomotives will be available for use in time for the busy period, which commences in the spring.

I Owing to the slackness of trade, Messrs i Reid and Gray, the well-known engineering I firm, have suspended work on Saturdays and Mondays at their Dunedin premises. A Wellington Press Association, telegram states that the correct designation of the stolen Union Bank notes reported from Napier, is 4 over N 131,501 to 132,000, which reduces the number of stolen note? five hundred. That New Zealand has one of the highest death rates in the world in maternity cases is the statement made by an American authority. The Dominion’s rate of mortality in such cases is stated to be over 6 per .1000, while the Italian rate, for example, is in the neighbourhood of 2 per 1000. The Minister of Health (Hon. J. C. Parr) has asked the officers of his Department to investigate this American statement and inform him of the facts. Regarding the retail price of butter, Mr G. Witty, M.P., telegraphed to the Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Agriculture, as follows, says a Christchurch Press Association telegram:—“People here are indignant at the Government upholding the price of butter by way of subsidy. Butter is being sold at a less price in Britain than here. Please give the matter your immediate attention.” Mr Nosworthy replied: “Received your telegram regarding the price of butter, which will receive consideration.” Entertained at the Gisborne Soldiers’ Club (says a Press Association telegram) the Hon. J. G. Coates, referring to the question of unemployment, states that throughout the departments controlled by him a ukase had gone forth that ex-ser-vice men and married men must have preference in employment, and that no returned soldiers must be dismissed. They had the first claim on the Government when times, as now, became hard, ana he personally would do his best to see that they got first consideration. A movement is being initiated in the Dominion ’o petition Parliament to vote pensions for the blind. At the present time there are between 500 and 600 persons in New Zealand whose sight has gone, and, in the majority of instances they are dependent on charity. The Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland, undertakes, in return for a maintenance charge of £25 a year, to teach blind persons basket-making, knitting, etc., but it is very difficult for them to secure employment after they have become proficient.

Mr Rupert Hughes, the prominent American author, has taken up the cudgels against motion picture censorship. At a meeting of the Commercial Board of Los Angeles he delivered what was referred to as “a stirring speech,” in which he said: “This cry for censorship is the cry of the chronic reformer. The reformers .are cailing k the pictures vulgar, just as they called the first English novels vulgar. People today try to believe themselves better than picture folk, just as in other days they thought themselves better than Shakespeare.” In view of the proposal of the Hutt County Council to establish a" toll-gate on the Day’s Bay Road, it is interesting to note that the following remit from Wanganui will come up for discussion at the Wellington Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, to be held shortly at Masterton:—“That the only immediate method of adequately financing the local bodies for. the better construction of the more important roads of the Dominion is by means of tolls at such places as are likely to prove financially successful, and that county councils should be encouraged to combine as far as possible in such schemes.” An important big subdivision al land sale of Rangitaiki swamp at Teteko, about fifteen miles from Whakatane, took place on Wednesday and Thursday,(says a Whakatane Press Association telegram). Thera were twenty-eight farms of forty to fifty acres and eight town sections. There was a large attendance of buyers from all over the a North Island and keen inquiry. The financial stingency prevented any speculation. The highest price for farms was £47 10s per acre, showing that prices of land are not sagging though steady. Town lots of 27 perches realised £29 to £3O. The general view is that the sales show confidence in the east coast swamp land, where grass is not- dried up even in a long drought. Practically the whole offering was cleared either at auction or privately.

The representative of a large London firm of shipping and collecting agents waited upon the local Chainber of Commerce yesterday afternoon with a view to obtaining the support of Southland importers. In placing the claims of the company before the meeting, the representative suggested that the collective system of dealing with cargo in London for Invercargill, would assist in procuring direct shipment to the port of Bluff. This could only be done by the majority of the importers arftnging for their consignments to be shipped through the same firm. He could not however, undertake on behalf of his firm to guarantee direct shipment. After some discussion the meeting decided to issue a circular to importers in Southland pointing out that the firm offered an opportunity of focussing goods for direct shipment to Bluff by their services. This should not interfere with present arrangements either in buying or shipping, and the Chamber of Commerce believed that such an action would be for the advancement of the importers of Southland. A somewhat sensational incident is reported to have occurred at Martinborough about 3 p.m. on Monday, when the house of Mr G. Burls (who is absent from home at present), in Naples street, was broken into, and a sum of money demanded from Mrs Burls, who, with her two young children, was sleeping in one of the bedrooms. From what can be gathered, the intruder gained entry by breaking in the back door, which was secured by a wooden button, and going into the bedroom occupied by Mrs Burls and her two young children, awakened her and demanded money. He was wearing a black mask, and had a pistol in his hand, which he pointed at and threatened to kill the child if money was not forthcoming. Being terrified, Mrs Burls drew out a small bag containing what money she had from under a pillow, and gave it to the man, who then decamped and got into a motor-car, which he had left outside the gate with the engine running. Whether he had an accomplice is uncertain, but Mrs Burls heard him say when he got outside that he had struck the wrong place, or words to that effect. To what extent can a farmer’s house be properly regarded as his business premises? This was a question that cropped up on Wednesday evening when the Commissioner of Taxes addressed a meeting of accountants and business men. The point is that in the payment of income tax an allowance is made for depreciation on business premises. It was brought under Mr Clark’s notice that in one case a farmer had built a house for himself at a cost of £l4OO. He had a large family, nearly all the members of his family were employed on the farm and the house was not larger than was required for their accommodation. When it came to the allowance for depreciation, however, the Department cut down the amount from £l4OO to £BOO. The Commissioner explained that the farmer was lucky in being allowed depreciation on £BOO. In cases where dwellings are used partly for the business or profession by which the occupier earned his income, as for example, doctors’ houses, in which some of the rooms were set aside for conpurposes, dentists’ houses where the surgery was in the house, and farmers’ houses, the rule followed by the Department was to take one-third of the total value of the premises as a fair allowance for the value of that part of them used in the business or profession of the occupier. Thus if such a house cost £l5OO the Department would allow £5OO as the value of the business part of the house, and depreciation would be calculated on that amount.

A Dominion conference of employers and employees will be held to endeavour to settle the industrial dispute of the Retail Shop Assistants’ Union. A three days’ sitting of the Conciliation Council was held in Christchurch last week, but very few of i the clauses were agreed fo. As the findings of the council would have affected the V’bole of the Dominion, it was felt that other centres should have some say in the making of the award. It is hoped that some settlement will be reached by the conference, which will sit in Christchurch, commencing, probably, on June 1. As the Conciliation Commissioner (Mr W. H. Hagger) had heard the arguments from both sides and had presided over the sittings just completed, it was decided that he should preside at the conference.

Some time ago the lessee of the refreshment rooms at the Morrinsville railway station, .who was the owner of the old premises, received word that the lease would not be renewed. He wrote to the Railway Department offering to sell the building at valuation. After v siting for six weeks and receiving no reply he invited tenders for the purchase of the building for removal, writes the Morrinsville correspondent of the Auckland Herald. After a tender had been accepted an official of the department arrived to value the building. He received a shock when he found it had been sold. The purchaser was then sought out and asked if he would sell. This he declined to do, and the result is that the tea-rooms have been pulled down and removed. It is understood that the Railway Department contemplates erecting new refreshment rooms at the station.

The policy of banning literature of a revolutionary character was criticised by the Rev. D. C. Herron, in the course of an address delivered at St. David’s Presbyterian Church, Auckland, ou Sunday. . “I suppose just now that ‘Red Europe’ is more read in New Zealand than any sound statement of the economic foundation of a true civilisation, simply because it is forbidden,” said the speaker. The present system of banning certain books seemed to him a retrograde step. Anything in the way of literature which was simply filthy shouW be kept out, but it did seem to be a step backward to the stage when it was feared that truth was not mighty, to keep a book out because it was revolutionary. “Why not refute it, instead of pursuing the futile policy of attempting to exclude it?” asked Mr Herron. “The book I mentioned, simply because it is banned, is probably more read in New Zealand now than if it were for sale at every bookstall.”

Saturday here once again, eo to-day is the time to think about getting your meat for Sunday. Sausages will be just the thing for breakfast, and as we don’t want to dis appoint anyone, we have a whole ton of the best to dispose of. As for meat for dinner, it's impossible for us to enumerate our whole stock, but there isn’t one peculiar taste that we are unable to satisfy. Our lamb is sublime and our roasts delicious. For country patrons we will all parcels free of charge to the Railway Station or any livery stable or motor garage in town. Our large staff is just itching for Saturday to arrive, as business is always brisk, and it's a pleasure to see “mum” go away smiling with a good roast in her basket. Don’t forget to call at the Mutual Benefit Butchery in Esk street (opposite Times Office), as that’s the place where these good things are.—(Advt.) AU sizes No. 6 Ontario American Duck Horse-covers, felt lined, for 45/-, rail free. A genuine opportunity of saving 10/- a cover. Satisfaction or money back. RIACH & McLENNAN, Universal Providers, Dunedin.— (Advt.) When is it to be? Monday, May 16, at 8.15 a.m. Where? Athenaeum Corner, Invercargill. What ? A big book sale. Whose? The Bible Depot’s. Any bargains? 10 per cent, discount off everything. Is that all ? No, novels, war books and devotional books at a little more than half price. When is the closing day of the sale? May 30.—(Advt.) 7 Frame it for keeps! The cost is trifling! 100 dozen to be soid. Kodak Photo Frames to hold one, two and three pictures, 6d, 9d, and 1/- each. Postcard Frames to hold one, two or three, 9d, 1/-, 1/6. Round Frames 7 to 13-inch, 2/-, 2/6 and 3/6. Framed Views of InvercargiU, single, double, treble, 9d, 1/-, 1/6. All are worth double the prfce asked. Hyndman’s, Dee street, are the sellers. Country orders for 10/worth or more posted free. The oold weather is making people think seriously of Blankets, Quilts and Warm Furs. At McKay Bros.’. Great Sale aU these lines are being offered by auction and the people of Southland will have an oportumty of acquiring first-class goods at auction prices.— (Advt.) AKAROA, the old French settlement; most beautiful climate in dominion. Take your holiday on its beautiful harbour, away from dust and noise of cities.—(Advt.) For unexcelled value you cannot beat the Colonial All-wool Tweeds at THOMSON & BEATTIE’S. A large assortment of these in plain colours, stripes, and checks, 56 inches wide, and only 12/6 yard. A special price is being given this week for a Costume complete of these serviceable Tweeds, fined throughout, fit and style guaranteed. Price, £7.— (Advt.) CRICKET AND TENNIS. A good grip is ensured by using Q toL Makes skin supple and joints flexible, and is a safeguard against bruises and abrasions. 4oz bottle, 2/-. (Advt.)

In the operations of the price-reduction campaign now in full swing at PRICE & BULLEID’S, Ltd., the Men’s Department has not been overlooked, Clothing, Underwear, Hats, Caps and all men’s requirements are subjected to drastic price reduction. The qualities and varieties are of the best. Buyers would be well advised to operate while the campaign is in operation as to buy now is to save money.— (Advt.) Groceries—Lowest prices; superior quality; excellent variety-r-at BAXTER’S. See over “leader” for some quotations.—(Advt.) ‘We do not demand success, but do more, deserve it.” The Ladies’ Showroom at the Progressive Stores has a very fine range of up-to-date Coats, Costumes, Sports Coats, Blouses etc., and you cannot fail to appreciate these cut prices. A very special line of Tweed Costumes, stylish cut and finest trimmings to clear at 84/-. Serge Costumes, design perfect, fast dyes, special cut price 105/-. Of special attraction, a showing of smart Flannel Costumes at 79/6. Tweed Coats in the latest cut and of best finish 84/-. A number of throw-outs at 35/-. A smart range of Covert and Velour Cloths, cut price 105/-. Sport Coats in latest shades and styles at 25/-, 35/-, 45/-. Here’s a chance of Crepe de Chine Blouses at leas cost than the material 25/-, 35/-, and 39/6. Silk Blouses, going at 15/6. Wincey Blouses at 6/6, 8/6 and 10/6. Morning Blouses, 4/11, 6/11 and 7/11. A cordial invitation is extended to you to visit this Department on the upstair floor. H. & J. SMITH, LTD., The Progressive Stores, Tay street, Invercargill, ar.d Main street, Gore (Advt.) Rflfti UNDRILL’S Special Extra Discount offer NM< note startling prices page 4 this issue.*-v Advt.) Ladies—Don't miss the opportunity o.‘ saving money on youi. wearing apparel— Coats, Costumes, Blouses, Mdiunery Underwear at lowest possible price* fo: ca&h at THE “ECONOMIC,” Ladies’ Outfitters, 60 Dee street. — (Advt) MASTERS,' LTD M were the original ora ©1 the 10 par cent discount to returned aoldiere. Utter storekeepers have copied ua, and we now go one better. We now invite ail discharged soldiers and those writing discharge to have their military hate reblocked, free of all cost, b, the only hatter m Southland. We still give « 10 per cent reduction to all returned soldiers.— MASTERS. Ltd.. Dee street.— (Advt) "NO-RUBBING” Laundry Hc’.p never fails to secure quick divorce of all dirt, grease »nd paint from mechanics’ clothes etc. NICHOL BROS., Bluff, a-enta for “No Rubbing.”

In. Valid. formal. Total. 1. Mayor 14863 167 15030 2. Councillors 13927 1068 14995 3. Harbour Board 13116 1285 14401 4. Hospital Board 13444 65350 1015 3535 14459 58885

Issue 2. Issue 3. Issue 4. p.c. p.c. p.c. Old system voting 52 43 62 Mis-numbering .... 34 40.5 55 Plumping .. .. .. 7.5 10 25.5 Blanks .. .. .... 6.5 5.5 7