THE ELECTION FIGURES

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19759, 14 December 1935, Page 6

THE ELECTION FIGURES

A Wellington paper, using the official returns, has prepared an interesting table showing the strength of the various political parties on the basis of the votes cast. The total was 851,723, of which ~389,912 votes were cast in favour of Labour candidates, and if the totals of the Ratana Maori candidates are added —they have noxv joined the party —the total is not far short of 50 per cent. On that basis Labour would bo entitled to 39 members, instead of 53, the National Party would have 26, the Democrats six and the Independents nine members. There is, of course, no method of securing representation on a national basis. Proportional representation would divido the Dominion into a few large electorates, but local interests are so strong, at the present time, that there is no general demand for that major reform.

The figures, however, serve to show the inadequacy of the existing system. It might he contended, and with some reason, that if there had been preferential voting the majority of the second choices of the Democrat supporters would have gone to Labour. It is a pity that tho matter should he one for surmise only, when a simplo alteration of the electoral laws would have made the issuo quite plain. If the contention’ had proved to he correct then the Government might have claimed a clear majority of all the votes cast. As things are it cannot do that. Labour is simply tho largest of the political groups. The number of Independent candidates was much larger than usual and the votes recorded for them were substantial, but in most cases they were futile, and they should not have been, because, in electorates where there was no clear majority for any candidate, the second preferences of the Independent voters might have affected the results.

Perhaps it is expecting too much to ask the victors to amend the electoral system that has proved so satisfactory, from their point of view, and it must be admitted that the Labour Government has given no pledge with regard to electoral reform. But a- most important principle is at stake. Representation in Parliament should be, as closely as possible, in conformity with the wishes of a majority of the people, and if the system obtaining is not able to ensure that result then the demand for amendment is undeniable. The critics will stress the fact that while it took about 14,750 votes to return a Nationalist only half that number was required to return a Labour member, hut anomalies like that will occur. , What is needed, and needed urgently, is a more scientific method of recording the. wishes of the people, and the preferential vote, as adopted in Australia, may be regarded as the first step. It is to bo hoped that as the result of a general demand the Government will see to it that an itnproved system is in force when next the electors arc called upon to choose their representatives.