ELECTORAL REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1889, 25 October 1913, Page 7

ELECTORAL REFORM.

ANXIOUS OPPOTIONISIS. Keen curiosity is felt by the Opposition in tho House of Representatives regarding tho electoral reform proposals of tho Government, and more than ono attempt- has been mado to draw tho Prime Ministor on the subject. Yesterday another was added to the number. . "When will 'tho Bill providing for the repeal of tlio Second Ballot be brought down.?'.' / Tvas a question put te tho Primo Minister by tho leader of tho Opposition. "Wo know," Sir Joseph Ward added, "that a Bill of two clauses denlinw with tho matter has been prepared. !':■■ ■"■ Tho Prime Minister: Have you seen it? <

Sir J. .Ward: No, but everybody knows it, and that 110 substitute for tho Second Ballot is provided. It this is so nothing from the point of view ■ of party tactics or strategy can be gained by keeping the measure back. Thero can bo no reason for the delay. There is a great deal of feeling in the matter from tho North Capo to the Bluff. I am suro that-tho Primo Minister cannot dony that a short Bill of two clauses has been prepared. Tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher: It is absolutely incorrect, absolutely 1 • Sir J. Ward: Porhaps tho hon. gentleman does not know as much as I do. Mr. Fishor: I haro seen the Bill. Sir J. Ward: Ohl That is some-: thing. . You cannot deny that a Bill i such as I have described has'been prepared P He was not asking the question from Rny fastidious desiro to extract information. Tho Prim© Minister had already stated that tho Second Ballot was to bo repealed, and as tho session was approaching its close lie thought it should bo stated when the measure was coming down. He had been informed that, what ho had said was correct. ~ Tho Prim© Minister said that ho had no objection to answering any question 'of an urgent character, but ho would liko to pointy out that' a great many of these questions were frivolous and not in any way urgent-fliear, hear)—and he did not think they should be asked without notice. So far as this question was concerned, he would like to say that the Leader of tho Opposition must possess his soul in patience. He had said on a previous occasion that a Bill would bo introduced this session to provide for the abolition of the Second Ballot,, and he could only repeat now that it would bo introduced. Sir Joseph Ward had gone further, and said that there was a Bill with two clauses. Well, if such a Bill had been prepared he had not seen it,/and ho thought ho would havo seen it if it had been prepared. . Mr. Massey added that ho. was convinced that tho people, of tho country were thoroughly sick of tho operation of tho Second Ballot Aot. The .people Wero almost unanimous,in desiring its repeal, and an opportunity Would bo given tho Houso this session of repealing the Act. • Sir Joseph Ward: And I am satisfied that tho peonlo of thi ß country any not in favour of minority representation. (Order.) ___