32 Proportional Representation. 



quota, and we have now got the three persons who represent 

 the tastes of this audience — Lord Duflferin, Lord Tennyson, and 

 Professor Tyndall. I think you will see that the process is one 

 of extreme simplicity, and that the counting is an easy matter. 

 I claim that it is of infinite worth, because it enables every 

 element in the electoral body to find its counterpart in the 

 elected body. It gives an opportunity to every element to 

 exercise a really valid choice. It is not merely " One man one 

 vote," but " One man one share in the person elected." No 

 person's power is necessarily thrown away ; every one is kindred 

 with the nation, and in living active vital union with the legis- 

 lative assembly. The man so chosen does not know the persons 

 who have chosen him. They may be spread over a considerable 

 space. But he knows that he has been selected out of a crowd 

 of candidates, and that he is entitled to go on in the strength 

 and fulness of that persuasion, and he will know and believe 

 that if he maintains in the future the qualities which attracted 

 support to him in the past, he will go in again and again, and 

 we shall get in our legislative assembly stability and freedom, a 

 real representation of the people, and, at the same time, real 

 strength of character on the part of those elected. This will 

 make the nation itself nobler, by kindling within it, in every 

 part of it, a true political feeling and true political aspirations, 

 and we shall make the assembly a real flower of the nation, to 

 which all best qualities will go, while there will be, not merely 

 improvement and excellence of the persons elected, but a 

 development of the nation which will result in its continued 

 prosperity, its continued progress under an All-Seeing Creator. 



On the motion of Mr. Adam Duffin, President of the Belfast 

 Chamber of Commerce, seconded by Mr. James Musgrave, J.P., 

 Chairman of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners, a cordial vote 

 of thanks was passed to Mr. Courtney. 



The right hon. gentleman having replied, 



Miss Todd moved a vote of thanks to the President. 



Dr. Hyndman seconded the motion, which was adopted. 



The Chairman acknowledged the compliment, and the 

 proceedings terminated. 



