System Applied to New Zealand.

Following up the analysis of the voting at the last, general election, and comparing the mode in operation with that proposed, we find that in a large measure the inequalities at present presented would be obviated by the adoption of the proportionate system; the waste of votes would be very much less; and, as a consequence, a much larger page 27 number of electors would possess representatives. The returns show the average votes cast in each electorate in each provincial district and for each successful candidate in such districts to be:—Auckland, 1320—686; Taranaki, 1,154—587; Hawke's Bay, 1,800—898; Wellington, 1,314—750; Nelson, 1,313—649; Westland, 1,804—1,003; Marlborough, 1,179—593; Canterbury, 1,244—717; Otago, 1,229—682; and Southland, 1,190—509. For the North Island, the average vote cast in each electoral district was 1,355, and the average vote received by successful candidates 721; for the South Island, the figures were respectively 1,255 and 680; and for the whole Colony, 1,301—690.

The application of the rule for making use of the "quota" under proportional representation exhibits the following results, as a comparison with our present system:—