BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1931, Page 6

BRITISH POLITICS.

ELECTORAL BILL. ALTERNATJYK YOTE CARRIED. [United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.] LONDON, March 4. The House of Commons was in committee on the Electoral Reform Bill, the Government accepted an amendment, to the 1 effect that the alternative vote should not apply till the next general election. Sir S'. Tloare, (Conservative), moved rejection of the alternative vote clause. He said the country had not demanded it. Ihe Conservatives were opposed to it, and Labour was divided on the subject, while the Liberals were half hearted. L’nder it. elections would be controlled bv the lasi candidate’s second preference-;. There would be wrangling between the parties. The system, instead of giving representation to minorities, might be used to express them. He appealed to the Government to allow a iree vote on the question. Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal), said that they could not continue- the present' system, which returned the Government by a minority of votes. Neither the Conservatives nor tile Trade Unions adopted the system of “tiiist past the post” in adopting candidates. However, leaders might recommend the distribution of votes the Government mass of the elections would happily make up own minds and vote accordingly. If the people wanted to, they could crush out any third party. Mr J. Beckett (Labour), recalled Mr MacDonald’s declaration Hint the alternative vote would ruin the Labour Party, which bad always refused to give a mandate for it. The Government, be said, had introduced it in defiance of tile Party’s principles in order to entertain the nation for another six or twelve months with the spectacle of declaration. Sir Austin Chamberlain said be opposed the clause because it was essential to the success of our parliamentary institutions to have a party system, | and not a group system. 'The latter j would make the House of Commons a j market for votes, instead of a great ; deliberative assembly. The country’s ■ greatest present- need was a Govern- j ment strong enough to govern. The | Bill would make the Government weak j and the House of Commons ineffective, j The Alternative Vote Clause, was carried bv 277 votes to 251. j