The Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1922. MR MASSEY’S PLAINT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16907, 5 December 1922, Page 6

The Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1922. MR MASSEY’S PLAINT.

It is amusing to read Mr Massey’s wail about the evil effects of vote splitting. It seems to have dawned upon him that the “ first past the post ” system does not always respect persons, and that it may be so wicked as to end the political career of a few Reformers. It was all right, of course, as long as it merely made victims of the opponents of the Government, but it is ail wrong in those constituencies where the Reformers are likely to be affected. “ With the amount of vote splitting threatened,” says the chastened Mr Massey, “it is almost certain that seats will he lost to the Government." Ho makes a pathetic appeal to the electors not to allow their votes to be jeopardised by candidates who have little chance of being elected. If they disregard his appeal they might bring about the defeat of the stronger candidates, and “so weaken the Government’s- position. Risks should not bo taken by those who admit that the Government has done wonderfully well.” We can appreciate Mr Massey’s fears, but we have no sympathy to waste ou his vote splitting troubles. Ke has had the opportunity to fulfil his promise to give the country a measure df electoral reform, but ho has never attempted to carry it out. He has stuck to an antiquated and unfair system which has served his party while it deprived the people ,of the right of truly representative Government. It appears that in some electorates the Reform chickens are coming home to roost. Mr Massey says that there are “ such things as loyalty to party and country.” We suggest that he should have put the country first. If the Reformers lose seats by vote splitting they will not be entitled to ask for sympathy from anybody but themselves. There would be a touch of poetic justice if they were hoist by their own petard.