ELECTORAL REFORM

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2626, 30 August 1923, Page 3

ELECTORAL REFORM

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION IN CITIES.

Wellington Last Night

The Government’s tentative proposals respecting electoral reform are contained in the Legislature A mendment Bill, which was circulated in the House of Representatives this morning. The Bill was not circulated with the intention that it should be proceeded with Ibis year, but with the idea that it should be studied by members during the recess preparatory to a measure bearing on the subject being seriously considered by Parliament next session.

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION.

Part 111. of the Bill deals with proportional representation, and the principal clause of the section inns as follows: —. For the purpose of this part of this Act there shall be four electoral divisions, to be known respectively as the Auckland Electoral Division, tlfe Wellington Electoral Division, the Christchurch Electoral Division, and the Dunedin Electoral Division, The said electoral divisions shall, until altered by the Representation Committee, as provided by this part of this Act, be constituted as follows: (a) The Auckland Electoral Division shall comprise the Electoral Districts of Auckland West, Auckland Central, Auckland East, Grey Lynn, and Parnell, (h) The Wellington Electoral Division shall comprise the Electoral Districts of Wellington North, Wellington Central, Wellington East, Wellington South, and Wellington Suburbs. (c) The Christchurch Electoral Division shall comprise the Electoral Districts of Christchurch North, Christchurch East,

Christchurch South, and Avon, (d) The Dunedin Electoral Division shall comprise the Electoral Districts of Dunedin North, Dunedin West, Dunedin Central, and Dunedin South.

It is proposed that for each electoral division there shall be elected as many representatives as there are electoral districts within the division. ' By-elections in the city areas are to be conducted under the preferential system. PREFERENTIAL VOTING. Preferential voting is to apply to the electorates other than those in the city groups, and to by-elections for city seats. OTHER* PROPOSALS. It is proposed that preference counts shall be announced as they become available. There is provision for the compulsory registration of electors and the penalty for failure to register is 5s for a first conviction and £1 for any subsequent conviction. Failure to notify a change of address will not disqualify an elector. New rolls are proposed, with the consequent abolition of the existing rolls.