ELECTORAL REFORM.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20271, 13 August 1937, Page 9

ELECTORAL REFORM.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The cause of electoral reform will not weaken; it is something essential in a democratic country. I have talked with people of all political parties, and can locate no real argument against it. The chief dislike seems to be that people wish to know the results on the day of the poll. Well, they do not always know that in Australia, and the Australians are not more patient, as a people, than we are. The voter in the Commonwealth may know, provided one candidate has secured a clear majority on the first count. If that has not been achieved, then the preferential system comes into force. Of course there is no real weight in this contention that the results should be announced on the day the poll is held. It is much more important to have a system that, will reflect the wishes of the electors. In an English paper I came aerois this statement with regard to the recent elections in the Irish Free State: ‘Polling took place yesterday in the Irish Free State general election. Voting is on the proportional representation system, and th* final result will not be available until Monday or Tuesday.” The paper is dated Friday, July 2. Now, the Irish voter is no more patient than the New Zealander, yet he thinks it worth while to wait for a few days for the final results, knowing that there will be no minority victories, and that tho results will really record, as nearly as possible, the views of the people. If Eire can do it, why not New Zealand? —I am, eto., ARMAGH. Hamilton, August 12.