WELLINGTON NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1923, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES

THE PIEBALD HORSE. BETTER THAN NO STEED. [Special To The Guardian.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. The leader of the Liberal-Labour Opposition is no less happy in the coining of striking phrases than is the leader of the Labour Party. Speaking in liis own constituency on Wednesday evening Mr Wilford touched briefly on Mr Massey’s proposals for electoral reform. “We feel to-day,” he said, speaking for himself and for the members of his party, “that a strong horse called ‘Electoral Reform,’ is needed to carry us over the dreary desert of parliamentary elections as at present conducted; and though we consider that the horse provided by the present Government is a piebald, nevertheless we think tlqti » piebald horse is better than no hoi>e. With certain committee alterations, we think that the present suggest'd legislation may he considered an advance on the present: system, though not such an advance as we should have provided in the form of proportional representation, with the maintenance of the country quota, find we had the opportunity of framing the legislation.” Mr Wilford confessed he had not much faith in the Government’s fair promises, but he expressed himself as quite ready to cooperate with the Reform Party in instituting a better system of election. A FRIEND OF COMPROMISE.

The “Evening Post,” which doubtless feels a little embarrassed at having been on both sides of the ieneo m regard to proportional representation within a very short period, naturally welcomes Mr Wilford’s readiness to accept a compromise. “The journey has been long delayed,” it savs, “while the Reform Party lias been considering whether it was wise to change burses at all, and the Lilierals also have had their doubts and differences (until recent years) upon the merits of the various mounts. Now some at least of the Reform members have come to an agreement, and they will he supported by the Lilierals, with certain reservations. The prospect of at last making a start therefore appears fairly promising, and it should not hi- lost. Labour will always he opposed to any measure not in exact- accord with Labour desires. In this instance, to revert to Mr Milford’s metaphor. Labour disapproves because il believes the piebald horse comes from the Reform stable, and niiiv make for home.” The “Post expressed no opinion as to the propriety of returning one set of members h\- one system of voting and another set by an entirely different system, but it implies that the Labour Party is actuated by purely parochial motives in resisting this startling innovation into the electoral system of the Dominion. PREDICTION.

The “Dominion" al-o has not been quite clear in defining its attitude Inwards electoral reform, but it. appears to be gratified, within certain limits, by Mr WilfouPs acceptance of the '•piebald horse" in the absence of a better steed. It predicts that with the support of the Liberals Mr Massey will get his Bill through the House by a majority of three to one. BuL all the same it has its (ling at the leader of the Opposition. "He made it a matter of complaint.” it says.

•That the Bill did not provide for the general application of proportional representation and also that the Government had not taken electoral reform in hand at an 'earlier date. This last complaint comes well from a supportei of the party that was in office Tor twenty years without making any other vital change in the system of voting than the introdutcion of the iniquitous Second Ballot.” Ibis is the sort of retort the politicians throw nt one another, hut Mr Wilford easily may have the last, word by Hinging hack the fact that the system of preferential voting Mr Massey has adopted for the great majority of the constituencies is precisely the same in principle a- the iniquitous Second Bal-

TIIE PROSPECTS. Though (lie “Dominion” writes confidently of a “three-fourths’’ majority, provided the Liberals throw in their lot with the Reformers, probably i,o one nut Mr Massey himself knows the strength of the opposition his Bill will encounter from his own side of the House. Ho has stated that he will require assistance from both sections of the Opposition to place his proposals upon Lite Statute Book, hut ft seems certain that he will receive none from the Labour Party and it is probable that the Reform Party will he much divided. One of the perils of i pr.s't ion front the Government s point of view is that in committee .the two sections of the Opposition might combine for the' purpose of inserting universal proportional representation in the Bill. This, of course, would mean the death of the measure, as Mr Massey would not persist with it in that shape, but the vote would he a serious rebulf lo the Government and possibly a grave embarrassment. Such a tiling is not likely to happen, hut it is among the possibilities, and the Prime Minister is displaying considerable courage in facing the peril with so slender a majority.