COUNTRY QUOTA M.P. Gives Reasons For

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23030, 23 October 1944, Page 3

COUNTRY QUOTA M.P. Gives Reasons For

Retention Equality In Voting Power

The fact that the country quota had worked satisfactorily in New Zealand i for 60 years was surely a good reason for it being left alone, said Mr S. W Smith, M.P. for Bay of Islands, in an address on the country quota . d reasons for its retention to Wellington business men. The country quota had done no haim to the urban voter, who had been able I to secure for himself a higher standaid I of living than that enjoyed oy countiy residents, said Mr Smith. It gave I justice to a section of the community I which was entitled to it, and justice I was a greater ideal than the equality lof the vote. . . ... I Some people were of the opinion that the country quota was the only thing that prevented complete Socialism m New Zealand, but he considered that ino argument at all, said Mr Smitn. If the people indicated that they wanted Socialism, then no artificial barriers should be put in its way, but he telt certain they did not want it. ine country quota was not introduced to put any party into power or out ol power, but for the specific purpose of compensating the country people tor I the disadvantages they suffered in Parliament. Those disadvantages prevailed, though on a much smaller scale than during the last century and early portion of the present century. It would be admitted that the country quota was a more or less artificial principle, and was a modification ot the democratic principle of one man one vote, said Mr Smith. In support of the creation of that principle, he traced the history of Parliamentary representation, and the 1887 Act which set up a commission to legislate on boundaries after each population census. Basis of Support His support for the retention of the country quota was based on the vital importance of farm production in New Zealand’s economy. It was essentia, that the farming community should have an adequate voice in the business, of the country. If the Labour Government introduced legislation to abolish the country quota, its arguments would rest on the commonlyaccepted democratic principle of one man one vote, and every vote being of equal value. But there was the broader aspect whether voting and democracy were one and the same thing. Was it correct to say that the equality of the vote was an essential part of democracy? His conception of democracy was a way of living, and | that the ideal and principle behind that | way of living was the production of good government based on justice. Justice meant equality of opportunity in the political and economic fields. The principle of one man one vote certainly gave equal opportunity in the political field, but the position was much different in the economic field, particularly where that economy rested on the products of the rural industries. It was his contention that in such conditions the rural community must be accorded voting power equal to that of the urban community. The maintenance of such an adequate balance in Parliament could be ensured by the retention of the country quota. Mr Smith also made the point that no indication of its policy on the country quota was given by the Labour Party during the last election campaign, though candidates were repeatedly questioned. Therefore, the Government should seek a mandate from the people first if it proposed to interfere with so vitally important a matter.