ELECTORAL REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1863, 24 September 1913, Page 4

ELECTORAL REFORM.

THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS,

The Legislature Amendment Bill (tho Hon. W. P. Massey), providing for tho appointment of a denuty-clerk of Parliament, was read a second time. Mr. G. W. IIUSSELL (Avon) asked what tho Government proposals wero in regard to doctoral reform affccting tho Lower House. All the Government had promised was that an Electoral Bill would be introduced, but tho Houso know nothing of tho purport of tho promised Bill. Would tho Government repeal the Second Ballot Act, and if so what would they proposo to take its place? Mr. Massey: I'll answer your question in replying on tho second reading oF the Bill.

3lr. Russell asked whether tho Government would substituto for tho second ballot tho singlo transferable vote? But if tho Government proposed to repeal tho Second Ballot Act and leave the electoral law in the state in which it was previous to 1908, a determined opposition would bo offered to the proposed legislation. Thero were in round numbers -180,000 votes cast at last election. Of theso tho present Government secured 182,000, which entitled them to 29 seats; tho Liberal party obtained 200,000 votes, which entitled it to 30 scats, and tho Labour and Independent parties secured 97,000 votes, which entitled them to fifteen seats. This would bo the distribution of votes under a scientific voting system. Mr. Russell said that his party would infinitely prefer that the Second Ballot should remain unless it wero.to bo replaced by the singlo transferable vote. Tho report furnished by Mr. Mansfield justified tho attitude* of tho Mackenzie Government, which bad proposed to repeal the Second Ballot and had left a Bill in print which was intended to introduce tho single transferable vote in this country. He invited tho Primo Minister to mliko a policy statement on tho subject of electoral law. THE PRIME MINISTER. NOT TO 1115 DRAWN. Tlio PRIME MINISTER said that ho had ono point- to reply to and one question to ansivpr: wliether tho Govern-

ment intended to keep the promise inado somo littlo timo ago to repeal tho Second Ballot Act. Uo said that tho promise would bo kept—an opportunity would bo given. A Bill would be. introduced later in winch among other tilings it would provido for tho repeal cf the Second Ballot Act. Mr. Russell: And wliat will you substitute P Mr. Massey: Ah, that is another story. Mr. Russell: That is tlife real story? Mr. Massoy: 1 can onlv ask tho licnourablc gontleinan to wait and sco. when tho Bill comes along. Ho would then seo what was proposed, .and bo (the Prime Minister) sincerely hoped that tho member for Avon would sco his way to support tho proposals iu the Electoral Bill when it came down. Tho honourable gentleman had repeated the oft-told story that tho Govornmcnt hadnot tho support of a majority of tho people. There wero at least forty-two Government supporters in tho present House —tliore might ho more, but there wero at le;ist' forty-two—and undoubtedly tlicso members had secured amongst them a majority of tho total votes cast at the last general election. Tlio honourable gentleman had spoken of tho lesson in the Grey election. What was tho result of that election? "What was tlio position after the first ballot? The Government candidate was at tho top of tho poll, the Labour candidate was Number 2, and tho Opposition candidate was at tho bottom of the poll, a very bad last. Mr. Russell: Whore was the Govern- • ment supporter after the second ballot? Mr. Massey: Whero was the Opposition supporter? lio also ran; ho was nowhere; ho was not oven placed. That is whero the honourable gentleman and a number of his supporters will bo aftor next election. I do not want to predict ; I am not a prophet, or. tho son of a prophet, but aftor that election tho present Government will bo in tho place that tlicy occupy now. PENSIONS BILL. The amendments made'by the Legislative Council 1 in tho Pensions Bill wero agreed to.

THE ARCHITECTS BILL. Tho New Zealand Institute of Architects Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdmau) was committed. In reply to a quostion, The Hon. A. L. Herdman said that the Bill as originally drafted would have prevented certain builders and engineers for local bodies from erecting buildings without tho aid of-an architect. The Bill in its present form removed all those restrictions. The committee had investigated the Bill very thoroughly, and the members of that coinmitteo wero now satisfied) with, tho Bill. Tho effect of tho Bill now was that members of tho profession'of architecture could, if they olios©; register, and members who did hot register would not ho allowed to style themsblves registered architects. That was tho v whole effect of tho Bill. It did not prevent builders or other persons from drawing plans, not only for theft own buildings but for hire.

Mr. 31. M'Callum moved to strike out tlio words "Now Zealand" _ from tho short title of the Hill, making it read Institute of Architects Bill. He contended that tile words were quito unnecessary, but it was pointed out by othei\ members that tho Bill dealt with tho New* Zealand 1 Institute of Architects. . The amendment was defeated on tlio voices.

On the motion of Mr. Herdmah a new alternative sub-clauso was added to the clause dealing with qualifications for registration under tho Bill. It read: " Passes or lias passed an examination or examinations required by tho_ institute under the provisions of this Act and its regulations." . ... Mr. R. McCallum (Wairau) asked for an assurance that boards of examiners would raiso tho standard of examinations.

'The Minister said he could not give the assuranco asked for. The matter would be at the discretion of the council of the institute. It would never do to shut tho door to any of those at present practising architecture. So far as ho'was able Mr. Herdman said ho would be glad to sec that the standard of examinations was kept up. Tho Bill. was reported u ith amendments.

LOCAL ELECTIONS. The Local Elections and' Polls Bill was next considered in Committee. Some objections were offered to tlio clause providing that a candidate may forward his acceptance of nominations by telegraph, but it was contended on tlio other hand that the provision would avert a great deal of inconvenience and unnecessary travel. The Hon. A. L. Herdman pointed out that all the clause did was to provide that whoro a .candidate had been duly nominated by two persons li« might signify his accoptanco by sending a telegram. Tlie clause was agreed to. When Clauso IC, relating to tlio publication of any defamatory matter, was reached, Mr. J. l'ayno urged the Minister to go a little further and make provision for tho punishment of any person starting a rumour with intent to injure a candidate. Mr. J. A. Hanan moved to amend tlio clauso by making it provide that an offence should bo committed by anyone publishing a document or printing matter "containing any untrue or incorrect statement intended or likely to 'mislead or improperly' interfere with any elcctor in casting, or in relation to, his vote." The Minister declined to accept tho amendment, and it was lost oil the voices. To Protect Candidates. Mr. J. A. Hanan said they all knew how candidates were bled by demands for subscriptions and tho like beforo elections. Liberality assisted a candidate for election, and a rich man had an advantage. It was his intention to move a new clauso to malro it illegal for a man standing for election to subscribe to such institutions as clubs.

Sir. Massey: "We'll put that in the Electoral Bill. I don't thiuk thatthcro ip any need for it hero. : ■ Mr. Hanan subsequently moved his now clau'so; which proposed that a candidate who, having announced himself as a candidate for election two months' before the 'election, offered a club or association any gift, donation or prizo within that time, should bo liable upon conviction to a line of £5.

The Minister said he did not see much need for the clause as applied to local elections. Ho would, however, give it consideration, and possibly lie' might arrange to have it inserted in another place. Tlio clause was defeated on tho voices.

Jiotli Dills in Committee wero reported, and tho House rose at 0.45 a.m.