OF ELECTION IN TASMANIA. 77 



be well to discuss more particularly, and, if possible, to eluci- 

 date. For this purpose I have thought it best to select the 

 more important of such questions in a systematically arranged 

 series in the form of Question and Answer. This method will 

 enable the ordinary enquirer to concentrate his or her attention 

 upon each point separately as it arises. 



An endeavour has been made also to arrange the order of 

 the several queries or subjects so that the answers given to the 

 first in order may facilitate the comprehension of explanations 

 or observation of those which follow. The following are the 

 series of Questions dealt with in this way: — 



First Query. — What is the special nature of the modification 

 of the Hare system introduced by Mr. Clark at the last 

 General Election apart from the provision which restricted 

 its operation to the two cities, Hobart and Launceston ? 



Answer. — The special modification introduced by Mr. 

 A. I. Clark, Attorney-General for Tasmania, is the pro- 

 vision devised by him for eliminating the element of 

 chance in the selection and distribution of quota-excesses 

 or surplus transfer votes. 



In the original scheme of Mr. Thomas Hare there was an 

 element of chance connected with the appropriation of the 

 voting papers of any candidate polling in excess, of the ascer- 

 tained quota, inasmuch as it would depend upon the chance 

 position of the papers forming the excess. If the excess 

 papers were taken, however indiscriminately, from either top, 

 bottom, or middle of the whole parcel of first counts, it is 

 almost certain that the second and higher preferences would 

 vary with each chance selection, and the voters whose papers 

 were selected for transfer to next in order of preference would 

 thus by mere chance have an undue advantage in the determi- 

 nation of the candidates next in order of choice. Mr. Clark's 

 scheme disposes of this element of chance in quota-excesses of 

 the first order or first count, by giving each voter of the suc- 

 cessful candidate equal power in determining what papers 

 shall be selected for transfer. This is accomplished by redis- 

 tributing the whole of the successful candidates' voting papers 

 among the candidates not yet excluded from the poll on the 

 basis of the next in order of preference — i.e., No. 2 — and after- 

 wards allotting to each candidate such a proportion of papers, 

 so distributed, to each candidate as is equivalent to the propor- 

 tion which the quola-excess bears to the total parcel of first 

 counts of the successful candidate. 



Thus, if we assume that A secured 560 papers in the first 

 count, and the quota was determined to be 460 ; and also 



