City Elections.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20311, 22 May 1934, Page 6

City Elections.

Voting System

Special Legislation May

be Needed.

ACTION is to be taken to have the existing system of voting in the city elections altered to the positive system. The City Council last night authorised the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) to take the necessary steps to effect the change. The Mayor stated that he anticipated that shortly a motion would be submitted to the council to rescind the resolution adopting the system of proportional representation for the election of councillors and the city representatives on the Hospital Board and the Harbour Board. He would like the council to authorise him to take action to have the negative .system of striking out the names of candidates for whom an elector did not desire to vote altered to the positive system of placing a cross against the names of the candidates for whom an elector desired to vote. “ The Auckland and Wellington City Councils,” said the Mayor, “ obtained authority to do this by resolution in the local Acts, and it might be necessary for the council to promote a local Bill unless the Minister would agree to make the practice general by an amendment in the Local Elections and Polls Act, 1925. Tf the council approves, I will see the Minister and ascertain if the Government will agree.” On the motion of Councillor H. T. J. Thacker the council approved of the action proposed by the Mayor. In reply to Councillor M. E. Lyons, the Mayor said that he wanted authority to see the Minister and try to get the legislation made general, and, failing that, it would be necessary to promote a local BUICouncillor Lyons said that at the 1927 election, when the negative method of voting was used, there was an exceptionally large number of informal votes, and the experience on that occasion warranted the council in taking the action suggested. Notice of Motion Given. At the conclusion of the business Councillor G. T. Thurston gave notice of motion for the next meeting of the council that the special order made by resolution passed on June 25, 1928, adopting the provisions of Part 2 of the Local Elections and Polls Act, 1925, relating to proportional representation, be rescinded.