ELECTORAL REFORM.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 September 1919, Page 5

ELECTORAL REFORM.

PROPOSAL FOR NEXT ELECTION. S]l("cll1l1'll,%' of the electoral law in the House of R(‘¢l‘osentatiVoS, Sir Joseph Ward said he wished to ask the Prime Minister if he had recognised how ill’lpO_l‘l7n.llt it was that the majority of the people should rule and would he, in the interests of the genera} safety of tlie‘ country, give the House the opportunity of considering 9, megsure "from the Governmenfi giving proportional rpresentation or pre;'.3r_ qutial voting. Mr Malcolm: Suppose there all-9 three parties and no majority. Sir Joseph Ward: Well, I suppose the three. parties will be in the PO5l. tion of having to roll into one. Mr Holland: Are you suggesting proportional representation. ’ Sir Josep}l ‘Ward: I am suggesting

that for the cities. In the country‘ there. was the difficult position created by the country quota. - The Prime Minister said the matter‘ had been, and was being considered Very seriously. The question of whethor there should bean amendment of the electoral law this session Was 3. very.difficult one. He understood Sir Joseph Ward to Have said recently that it would not be_ possible to get proportional represenation this session with the alteration of boundaries and rolls_

Sir Joseph ‘Ward That is quite correct.

Mr Massey said that brought them to preferential voting, and he could understand circumstances under whic~l a member would .be returned by amin.. ority under that system. He did not like the System of preferential voting, as it laid the way open to the adoption of a very objectionable system of intrigue. He was quite willing to have the matter brought before Cabinet. and see what cvould be done. Then he could give a definite answer.