Change council polling—Socred

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 4

Change council polling—Socred

A proportional representa- ■ tion system for the Christ- ] church City Council is sought lby the Social Credit Political I League, through its Canterbury regional council. The new method of electing ■ councillors is part of Social | Credit’s submissions on possible ward and voting changes in the city, I About 20 submissions were made after last month’s call i for public ideas on the present electoral system.

Mr G. A. Clover, polio I convener of Social Credit's local group, said the City! Council should also be expanded to a maximum of 25 members. Having more councillors wood allow a more flexible j arrangement of wards, he Said, and "increase the likelihood of a greater proportion of all significant opinions held in the communitv being represented on the council." < Christchurch should have 'six wards instead of the pre- | sent five, and each should ! have at least four councillors. he said. Proportional representation could produce a council reflecting the proportion of votes cast for parties, and ensure better representation of different opinions. Each vote cast would also have equal weight. That could eliminate the "wasted vote syn- . drome.” Mr Clover said, “and discourage electors’ apathy and non-participation.”