PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 256, 18 October 1916, Page 15

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION.

At the Good Citizenship meeting, Nelson, on August 25th, the subject of Proportional Representation was taken for discussion, an address being given by Mis Claude Graham. This subject was taken specially in connection \\ ith an effort made to get the svstem adopted by the City Council at its next election, each Count illor having been asked if he would be willing to support it. The question was to be considered ai the (. ounc il meeting on the evening of the same day, and invitations were sent out to the Councillors to be present at Mrs Graham’s address. Only one responded, but we had a good meeting, the address being most interesting and instructive.

Mrs Graham pointed out the need of reform in the present methods of choosing representatives, election by proportional representation being one of the reforms now under consideration, and having already taken a place in practical politics as an established fact, being in use in some parts of the British Umpire, and proving itself equitable, scientific, up-to-date, and satisfactory. She went on to speak of the advantages of the system over the present methods, showing that it gave a wider representation to .ill parties in the States and to all shades of opinion, providing for the representation of minorities as well as that of majorities, in due proportion to their strength. It is thu> a mu* ft fairer method, and it also facilitates the representation of all parties In the r ablest members, not lending i t s< If to manipulation for hidden ends, as do the present systems, which in this wa> often prevent the wishes of ihr people being given effec t to. Hav.ng briefly sketched the rise and spread of the Proportional system, par tic ularly the variety known as the Single Transferable Vote, the most popular amongst Knglish-speaking peoples, and the results of its working in Tasmania, where it has been in use for some years, and has proved satisfactory, Mrs Graham went on to speak of the three political ideals democratically recognised, showing that these are more easily attained by Proportional Representation than by any other method. (i) That every elector shall, as far as possible, have an equal voice in the election. (2) That the poo* candidate shall have equal opportuni-

ties with the rich. (3) That the freedom of the elector shall be protected from me tyranny of the caucus. The principal aims of the system were given as follows: —(1) To represent the opinions of the different parties amongst the electors in due proportion. (2) To secure that, while the majority rules, the voice of the minority shall also be heard. (3) To give to the elector a wider choice of representatives. (4) To give representatives greater independence from financial and other pressure of small sections of constituents. (5) To ensure to parties representation by their ablest and most trusted members. The great difference between this system and the present methods was also pointed out, viz., that in the latter we have a large number of small singlemembered constituencies, while under the former there would be a few large multi-membered ones; the proposal in New Zealand being to form two in each Island, the- two in the North Island having 11 members each, and the two in the South «). This refers to the election of the Legislative Council, which, according to the present intention of the Government, is to be made an elective body. Mrs Graham then explained the method of election, which, from the elector’s point of view, is perfectly simple, all he has to do being to put the figure 1 against the name of the candidate he wishes to vote for in the list on the billot paper, placing 2 against bis second choice, and 3 against his third. The method of counting tin* votes is more complicated, and it is hardly possible to Explain it in deta l in a short report such as this. The principle of it is that every candidate who obtains the requisite number of votes, which is ascertained by a simple calculation, is elected, the surplus, that is, the number of votes obtained above the necessary quota, being transferred to the second cr succeeding choices of the electors, as needed. In this way no votes are wasted «n large majorities, and all voter* are represented. Those who wisl study the system will find it explained in Mr McCcmbs’ pamphlet on Proportional Representation, and there is also a very good explanation of it in Hazell’s Annual, 1914. In view of the possibility that the system may be introduced at the election of the Legislative Assembly, it is certainly to be desired that all electors should be acquainted with its objects and methods, and 1 would

strongly recommend all I'nions who are taking up work or study under the* Good Citizenship department, to make a study of it. If there are any who would like a fuller report of Mis Graham’s address, I shall be glad to supply them with a copy. MARIAN JCDSON, N.Z. Supt. of (iood Citizenship.