THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1908. THE SECOND BALLOT BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9184, 5 September 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1908. THE SECOND BALLOT BILL.

It is somewhat difficult to understand why the Leader of the Opposition should not be in agreement with ihe Second Ballot Bill. Majority rule is one of the first principles of democratic government, and the Bill in question is really to secure genuine representation of the people in the House of Parliament. It seems that for some years past minority representation has been increasing, and thpre is reason to suppose that such an undesirable "state of affairs will prevail more largely in the future unless the measure now before Parliament, or some measure similar to it, is brought into operation. Sir Joseph Ward, in advocating the Bill, is unquestionably moved by the utmost honesty of intention. He desires in this matter, and very rightly, to give effect to the people's wishes. The average elector does not wish to see seats won by trickery, or clever vote splitting. It may be said that the people of the Dominion are unanimously in favour of majority rule, and if the new system that will almost certainly be in existence

on the occasion of the next General Election, results in a considerable alteration in the strength of the parties in Parliament very few people, irrespective of those who are personally interested, will regret the affirming of the principle of majority representation in a practical manner. The Leader of the Opposition has no sympathy with the Bill on the ground that it has been brought down for party purposes, and he is afraid of the "wire pulling" that will take place during the intervals between the ballots. We fear that Mr Massey in opposing the measure on the grounds mentioned leaves himaclt' open to the charge that he has not that degree of confidence in the people that he should have. Surely the Leader of the Opposition does not desire that any member of his party should represent a minority, any moi-e than he would desire his party, if in power, to represent the views of a minority of the people in the Dominion? If the people are so grossly corrupt that the Government can easily secure a majority by "wire pulling" then, we should say, that it is not worth the while of Mr Massey, or of any honest man, to battle for the cause of the people another hour longer. It is impossible to deny the fact that the Second Ballot Bill is designed to give effect to the people's wishes, so far as it is possible to do so, and not to approve of it is to be in disagreement with a proposal that is essentially democratic in character. Moreover, from a purely, party point of view, there does not seem to be any reason why the Leader of the Opposition should be antagonistically inclined towards the Bill. According to the Premier in the election of 1905 no less than fifteen members, representing minorities, were returned. Of these twelve supported the Government, and three the Opposition, so that the Opposition, apparently, has nothing to fear from the proposed change. The chief objection to the Bilj undoubtedly lies in the question of whether the people will go to the poll for a second time as numerously as in the case of the first ballot, and the weight of the objection can only be proved by experience, or .experimenting. New Zealand is famous for its experimental legislation, and an experiment in the direction mentioned is certainly much less objectionable than some of the experimental legislation which has been indulged in during the past. It is argued by some politicians that contingent voting is a better system the second ballot, but in a letter which the Premier has received from Mr Kidston, Premier of Queensland, the writer stated that in his country the contingent vote had been but little used. He is of opinion, however, that contingent voting might be effective if made compulsory. Mr Massey favours proportional representation, which, like the contingent voting system, looks perfect on paper. Uniler a system of proportional representation no class in the community, Mr Massey declares, wobld be unrepresented. How ever, excellent as the proportional system may be, it is certain that the second ballot system is going to ,be tried before any other in this country, and we are of opinion that it would be a step in the right direction.