ELECTORAL REFORM URGED

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1933, Page 9

ELECTORAL REFORM URGED

reclassifying electorates, new basis of~representation. The necessity for reform in legislative administration was stressed at the annual conference of the Taranaki provincial district of the Farmers’ Union at Inglewood on Friday, when it was suggested that the number of members should be reduced to 40 and that they should be elected on a different basis. ■ Mr. J. Wood (Huiroa), in moving that the Government be urged to halve the number of electoral districts, ■ said the party system had; failed, budgets being balanced. by impoverishing the people. The time was ripe for a complete overhaul of the legislative system. Parliament cost £BO an hour during each session. Parliament should be reduced to 40 members. The suggested classification of the House was:. Dairy farmers 4, sheep farmers 4, • agricultural 4, importers 2, exporters 2, harbours and shipping 1, banking 2, manufacturers 2, counties and boroughs 2, railways 1, highways and transport 1, miners 1, labour • 4, Maoris 1, defence 1, civil servants 1, town and country workers 4, public works 1 and power boards 1. Each man nominated for his particular classification, • continued Mr. Woods, should know his job and so do away with the necessity for appointing commissions. Mr. N. B. Fletcher (Huiroa) said that the time was ripe for some change. The proposed system eliminated party Government. Farmers bad splendid representation in Parliament at present under the country quota, Mr. B. Richmond (Midhirst) said, and must be careful not to lose that. It was resolved to ask Mr. Wood to place his scheme before the provincial executive. Mr. C. H. Sorenson moved the following Hillsborough remit: “That’the urgent need for economy in our "administration costs calls for re-classification of electoral areas with a view, to reducing the number of members in the House of Representatives.” He said that with fewer representatives in the House there would be a more impartial system <jf Government.

Mr. J. H. Paulger seconded the remit, which was carried.