MODE OF ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1485, 6 July 1912, Page 3

MODE OF ELECTION.

* PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. A SOCIETV FORMED. A meeting of thos? interested in the question of proportional representation was held in tho rooms of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servant*, in Woodward Street, last night. Mr. D. M'Lareu, Mayor of Wellington, was voted to tho chair. The chairman said proportional representation was tho only just system, lie was delighted to see among thoso present the Hon. T. W. llislop, who had introduced a Bill for proportional representation as far back as 1887. In concluding the chairman said he considered that the formation of a proportional representation society was just tho thing wanted at the present time. Tho Hon. T, W. llislop moved: "That in tho opinion of this meeting the time has arrived for tho formation of a proportional representation league." Mr. llislop briefly reviewed the history of the movement in tho New Zealand Parliament, and detailed tho opposition that had been raised to it More, and nt the time he introduced his Bill into the House in 1887. Several of those who hod 6tron.gly opposed tho Bill had subsequently, on reflection, becorno supporters of proportional representation. After detailing many of- the advantages of the system, Mr. ■ llislop spoke of SiT Frederick AVhittaker, who had advocated tho principle and introduced a Bill into tho Houso to deal with it as far back as 1877. It said a'good deal for his wisdom, that 35 years later the present movement was on foot for the promotion of the scheme. Mr. I'. J. O'liegan, in seconding the motion, said he regarded tho second ballot as a miserable expedient, but though it stood .universally condemned it ought to be mndo clear that those in favour of proportional representation would not be satisfied with the system foreshadowed by tho present Government. This would offer very iittlo improvement on the second ballot, and no solution of the question of representation. Mr. O'Regan referred to the fact that, when he had introduced proportional representation Bills into the House they had been opposed by tho Labour members, and it was

rather remarkable that proportional representation was now a plank in tho Labour party's platform. Professor \V. T. Mills spoke briefly of the proportional representation movement in America, no advised the society when formed to have a definite advocacy for a definite Bill. Tho assistance of the United Labour parly could be counted on. The Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., sa : d Unit our pettifogging road's anil bridges men had in tho past had an uuduo influence in our politics, and thoso who had had more regard for national interests had olten been defeated. It was a fact that the present system pandered to parochial interests. Ho hoped that the meeting would bo (he beginning of' a campaign which would end in a porportional representation measure being placed on the Statute Book. Other speakers were: Messrs. R. Cameron, W. Maddison, — Drummond; M. .1. Reardon, P. Wakefield, and W. S. Bedford. Tho opinion was generally expressed that, with tho present system standing condemned, the time was opportune to move for proportional representation. On being put to tho meeting the motion was carried unanimously. Mr. M. J. Reardon then moved that thoso present form themselves, into an organisation,to be called tho New Zealand Proportional Representation Society. This was seconded by Mr. Cameron, and carried. The following officers were elected:— President, tho Hon. T. W. Hislop; vicepresidents, Sir John Findlay, K.C., 'Mr. D. M'Laren, and Mr. A. \R. Atkinson; chairman of committee, Mr. P. J. O'Regan; secretary-treasurer, Mr. M. .T. Mack; executivo committee, Dr. A. W. Izard, Messrs. A. H. Hindmarsh, M.P., R. Caraerson, F. T. Moore, W. S. Bedford, W. Hampton, and E. P. O'Donnell. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to adopt the aims of the English society. Mr. O'Regan moved, and it was agreed, that the committee bo instructed to frame a code of rules M submission to a future meeting. It was decided to hold a public meeting at the earliest convenient date, so as to bring the movement prominently before tho public. Tho subscription was fixed at 2s. 6d. per annum. /