PROSPECTIVE LEGISLATION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2223, 20 June 1908, Page 3

PROSPECTIVE LEGISLATION

A SECOND BALLOT BILL, PARTICULARS OF THE PROPOSAL. [Special to “Times.”] AUCKLAND, June 19. Sir Joseph Ward this morning informed a special roportor of the ‘“Times” that it is tho intention of tho Government to bring down a Second Ballot Bill during the coming session, aiul further added that ho had every reason to believe that the measure would bo put through. Asked to give particulars of the proposed Bill, tho Premier replied that ho could not elaborate tho proposal until it came before the House. It -was desirable, ho si id, that tho system of minority representation should once and for all ho abolished. From inquiries he had made lie was satisfied that though much could be said for an ahsoluto majority, there was not sufficient time to educate the peoplo into the working of such a system. Unless the disposition by the voter of the first, second, third, fourth, or fifth vote or the preference indicated to the number of candidates standing was mado compulsory, that would lie ineffective. To make it compulsory • would entail the disqualification of ‘the vote, unless tho olcctor carried out tho compulsory requirements of tho law. In. that reepcet lie had mado extensive inquiries into its working wherever it had been tried, and the Premier of Queensland had informed him that in that State the system had boon not to make tho contingent vote compulsory, with tho result that it was scarcely ever used. This really meant that a continuance of tho minority system of representation was observed.

“From othor- inquiries I have made,” added the Premier, “it is quite uncertain that unless wo impose a compulsory system of contingent vote in Now Zealand, which would for certain entail a large number of disqualifications by reason of the short time in which tho people could he educated, that we would' find a similar effect here. I say unhesitatingly that unless we could effectively have a system by which minority representations could be absolutely stopped it would bo just as well to go on as we are doing. lam satisfied after going into the question that a second ballot is tho only system which can nt present meet the conditions and insure majority representations. “Tho 'Bill.” added Sir Joseph, “when submitted to the House will ho found to contain the necessary provisions to prevent a double expense on tho part of those candidates who are not returned with a majority ballot and who require to go under tho second ballot system.”