Thoughts For The Times

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1921, Page 2

Thoughts For The Times

The Nkkd fob Phofortionai. I’kpkksentation.

We are faced all over the world by an attack on what may be called the world order. . . It is a time when democracy as a system of government and as a system of social organisation is going to be tested to its utteimoxt, and tire machinery which expresses democracy will he overhauled by no friendly critics to sec whether it really does jutify the claim it makes. In this country wo have been for many vears aware of a growing criticism of representative institutions as they actually exist. We know that some of our most cherished institutions no longer keep the position in public reputation that they did half a century ago. It is a time when it behoves all of us who believe in democracy and in stability to look carefully at the foundations oil which our institutions are based and to Jo our utmost to see that they reallv are based on the only foundation on which democratic institutions can be based, namely, a true accord with the expressed and determined will of the people. It is for that reason that to my mind Proportional Representation has an added importance at the present time.—Lord Robert Cecil.