stituencies should be equal, then that he shall be designated representative of such three constituencies as shall contain the greatest number of registered electors; and such declaration shall have the same effect as if lie had been duly returned under the writ as aforesaid.
In the above electoral law it has not been thought necessary thus far to depart from the form originally adopted to show in what way proportional representation might be established, or to borrow the more succinct phraseology in which rules of a like or analogous purport have been expressed in subsequent adaptations of the principle. With a view, however, to the practical introduction of the system, it is of great importance to show how much the form of an electoral law for that object may be simplified as well as abridged. The labours of other minds in England and in America, bringing to the task their varied experience in the work of legislation, have succeeded in framing in fewer words rules which effect substantially the same object. One example is given in the four simple rules which suffice for expressing what was to be done, on the nomination of overseers of Harvard University.[1] The Proportional Representation Bill[2] of the last session embodied every essential condition in the three following clauses:—
10. The following provisions shall have effect with reference to a poll:
(i.) Each elector shall have one vote only;
(ii.) The votes shall be given by voting-papers delivered by the electors in person;
(iii.) The voting-paper of an elector shall be deemed to have been given for the candidate first named thereon, but the elector may, if he think fit, designate one or more other candidates to whom in succession, in the designated order of priority, he desires that his vote should be transferred, in the event of its not
- ↑ See Appendix M, p. 351, infra.
- ↑ Prepared and brought in by Mr. Morrison, Mr. Auberon Herbert, Mr. Fawcett, and Mr. Thomas Hughes. Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, 28th Feb., 1872. Motion for the second reading, 10th July, 1872. Hansard, Parl. Deb., vol. ccxii., pp. 890-920. The form of the voting paper, in the third schedule of this Bill, is substantially the same as that given in p. 124, ante.
