The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1921. AUCKLAND EAST SEAT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16572, 3 November 1921, Page 6

The Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1921. AUCKLAND EAST SEAT.

It was almost inevitable that the successful candidate in the Auckland East contest would be elected by a minority vote. With four candidates in the field, and the “ first past the post ” system of election, an absolute majority could only have been secured by a man of outstanding personality whose political views made a wide appeal. It is easily seen that the split vote favoured the Government candidate, who received 2525 votes out of 6555 polled. The Opposition vote, which totalled 4030, was divided between three candidates, with tlio result that a former ! iberal constituency is now to be represented in Parliament by a Reform member. There can be no question that the present system of voting favours the Government, and the result of the poll was as nearly a foregone conclusion ns it was possible to be. The Government itself is in office on a minority vote, and it is quite in keeping with past events that the latest recruit to the Ministerial Benches should be a minority candidate. Mr Clutha Mackenzie polled well, afid on personal grounds no one will begrudge him his victory. He served the country in tho war, and while on active service lie received an injury Which deprived him of his sight. He has tackled the battle of life anew with the most admirable courage, and has revealed the possession of qualities and abilities of no n.ean order. The defeat of the Hon G. W. Russell did not surprise his friends in Christchurch, who had more admiration for his courage than his discretion in fighting an Auckland election. The provincial Epirit is nowhere stronger in the Dominion than in Auckland, and it is only on very rare occasions that a candidate from another province is acceptable to district electors. The “ silent epidemic vote ” referred to by Mr Wilford was probably a factor which affected Mr Russell's candidature. Mr Russell was Minister of Health during tho trying time of the epidemic, and he indulged himself in the luxury of some plain speaking about the sanitary condition of Auckland city. He was also blamed, most unjustly, for the entry of the epidemic into New Zealand. He fought a vigorous fight, but it was against heavy odds. Probably the most remarkable feature of the election was the support received by Mr J. A. Bee, the Labour candidate. Auckland East is not considered a workers’ constituency, as the term is generally understood, and therefore the big vote cast for Mr Lee is the more significant. In a straightout contest with Mr Mackenzie the Labour candidate might have won. and the result would certainly have been very close. The whole lesson of the election, however, is that the present system of voting is discredited. It fails to reflect the opinion of the electors, and permits the wishes of the minority to dominate those of the majority. Parliamentary government is founded on the principle that it must be government by the representatives of the people, who are elected by the majority of the peoolev Government by a minority Government, through a majority in the House secured by a minority of votes in the country is bound to undermine public confidence in the parliamentary system. There is need for a bi<r instalment of electoral reform in the Dominion, but it will not come from the Reform Government.