Kkpreskntation. -Jyy 



"tHiota" with a remainder of l-'X)."), and the L'liioiiists one "«|Uuta" 

 with a remainder of 919. Each ijuota returne<l a member, hut the 

 Liberals obtained the fifth seat because the Liberal remainder was 

 raised above the "(juot^i" by the transfer of certain "Ltibour" and 

 also " Unionist Free Trader's " votes. 



Whilst the foregoing notes were in preparation Great Britjiin has 

 been convulsed over the i-esults of a number of bye-elections, the 

 results of which have been bewiltlering to the onlooker. To-day's 

 cables comment on the unsatisfactoriness of the present system of 

 election, and even the Liberal papers are demanding the introduction 

 of either the referendum or proportional i-epresentation. Tliis is a 

 great step. Proportional representation would certainly prevent those 

 violent oscillations of public opinion — which do so much to letard the 

 development of the 8tate — and, indeed, everything. Men of moderate 

 views, or independent opinion, always exercise a tremendous power as 

 voters. As a class they are conservative, and therefore against undue 

 haste : in other words, they act the part of brake. Under any of the 

 systems now in vogue they ha\e, however, not a chance of being returned 

 in numbers sufficiently great to have the slightest influence on legislation, 

 but under proportional representation they would have every chance. 

 The status of the assembly itself would also be improved, because some 

 of the very best men, not being strong party men, are at present 

 debarred altogether from a nation's councils. No nation can afford to 

 do without men of this stamp. 



South Africa would benefit as much as any uatioii through the 

 introduction of this system, and if these notes should awaken an in- 

 terest in this most important subject in view of our present attitude 

 towards the greater — that of Unification — my purpose will have been 

 served. 



Z2 



