REVISING VOTING SYSTEM

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1929, Page 13

REVISING VOTING SYSTEM

SUGGESTIONS BY LABOUR BRITISH ELECTORAL REFORM REFERENCES FOR INQUIRY By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian Press Association. London, July IS. The Primo Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, has submitted to the leaders of the other parties, Messrs Baldwin and Lloyd George,-the proposed terms of reference for the inquiry into electoral reforms. The Daily Telegraph understands that these contain: (1) The abolition or retention of the present limited system of plural voting; (2) methods of voting, including the alternative vote, second ballot and proportional representation; (3) the use made of party funds for the purpose of election campaigns. The inquiry is the direct outcome of the recent election. The Liberals protested at their under-representation according to the votes cast, while the Labourites comjilained of the lavish expenditure of the other parties from their respective headquarters, as distinct from candidates’ own expenses.

Mr. Lloyd GeOrge practically made Liberal support conditional on the Labourites embarking on a scheme of electoral reforms.

Mr. MacDonald agrees, but extends the inquiry Into party expenditures.