VOTES AT THE ELECTIONS.
HOW SOLDIERS MUST ACT. IRANCIIISE SYSTEM CRITICISED. (By Wire. —Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. Sir Joseph Ward referred in the House to-dav to a statement that soldiers would give block votes in certain districts. Were soldiers required to apply for votes in the district to which they belonged before they left the country or could they vote in any district of New Zealand? Mr. Massey: That won't do at all. I can say "No" to that. They must vote in their own districts. Sir Joseph Ward: Will tie Prime Minister give effect to a promise he made when repealing tho second' ballot that he would substitute a better system with the object of preventing minority rule. He said the present system of first past the post did not ensure majority rule. It would be most unsatisfactory to the country if any party was able to secure a victory when it did not really represent a majority of the electors.
Mr. Massey: I quite agree vjith that. Sir Joseph Ward thought the transferable vote would be the right system. It would enable the majority to rule. The Prime Minister: As long as my political career lasts I will never forget what happened under the Second Ballot Act. lam not sneaking from a party point of view. My party, as a matter of fast, gained very considerably during the time tho Act was in operation, but I have never known anything so corrupt ox so tending to corruption as the working of this Act. He was not sure that the system mentioned by Sir Joseph Ward would be much better. It certainly would allow a candidate to be elected who was not supported by a majority. There would not be time to amsnd the general electoral law during the present session, added Mr. Massey. He did not want to see a minority holding the reins of power in the Dominion; the honorable member knew that perfectly well. His views were far too democratic for anything of that sort, but the remedy was for the people to see that one of the great parties had a majority, and he knew which party was most likely to get it. Sir Joseph Ward: So do I.
Mr. Massey: I have no doubt about it. (Laughter).
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Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1919, Page 6
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384VOTES AT THE ELECTIONS. Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1919, Page 6
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