A GLARING EXAMPLE

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19760, 16 December 1935, Page 6

A GLARING EXAMPLE

The final figures relating to the Manawatu electorate afford a striking example of the weakness of our electoral system. Labour won the seat with a majority of 29 votes, out of a total of 8452 valid votes recorded. Actually the successful candidate polled 141 votes in excess of one-third of the total. He bad 2958 votes cast in bis favour, while 5494 citizens clearly preferred some other candidate. How is it possible for anyone to defend an electoral system that could produce results like that? It cannot be contended for a moment that the elected member represents Manawatu, yet for thicc years he probably will endeavour to do so. Even if it were conceded that, had the electors been able to place the candidates in order of preference, Labour would still have won tho seat, the case for reform is not weakened. In matters relating to the representation of the people in Parliament the less we have of “ ifs ” the better.

A new Parliament lias been elected and no small proportion of the members represent minorities. That cannot be regarded as satisfactory!. The majority has the right to rule, and the electoral laws should bo designed to make that, at least, certain. A system that enables a man to occupy a seat in Parliament whon he polls a few votes in excess of one-third of the total stands condemned. The new Ministers have been asserting that the Dominion will again take its place as a leader in progressive legislation. It is to he hoped that it will, without undue delay, bring its electoral system up to date, if only that such glaring instances of inadequacy as that afforded by the Manawatu figures may be avoided.