Most readers of the foregoing will, doubtless, from the condition of things described, clearly perceive that under our present electoral system, while the majority (though not always) may secure representation of an uncertain kind, the people as a whole cannot. Under the best of circumstances, at present, nearly half of the whole persons voting are disfranchised, and those who do succeed in forming the majority are so hampered in their choice of candidates, by being bound to vote for or against those put forward in the localities where individual voters reside, as to be practically cheated of free choice altogether—a picking out of the least evil being but too frequently the position into which voters are forced. Much more than has been adduced in support of this contention might easily be brought forward, but it appears unnecessary, and, therefore, we enter upon the consideration: Can a remedy for the evils deplored be found, and is such remedy one which in practice will recommend itself to the people of the Colony?

An examination of the different modes existing by which the best representation of the people in Parliament is sought for leads to one clear conclusion—that no system based upon the want of principle involved in the generally accepted dogma "the will of the majority in the electorate must rule" can ever be relied upon to give expression to the true will of the people through the members thus sent to Parliament. No mode can come near perfection or justice which does not admit of every section of the electors being represented by their own free chosen men in proportion to their numbers. Nothing can be further from page 22 wisdom than to look for good representatives or good legislation in a Parliament elected by petty districts, actuated by local greed, and degraded by parish politics.