Proportional Reptesentation. By L. Gordon Baynes. (Sherratt and Hughes. 6d.
net.)—Mr. Baynes explains and recommends in a very reasonable and temperate way the electoral system which is to give, he hopes, every set of political believers the representa- tion to which their numbers entitle them. A quota depending on the number of votes polled is fixed ; the candidate or candidates who obtain this are at once regarded as elected, and their surplus votes are distributed according to the preferences indicated by the voting-papers. If this distribution does not give any other candidate a quota, the lowest on the list is struck out, and his votes are dealt with in the same way ; this is repeated till the required number are qualified. Of course the adopting of this system would result in greatly increasing the number of groups in the House. Mr. Baynes proposes that a Ministry should not be expected to resign on a casual defeat—such defeats would become much more frequent—but only on a direct vote of want of confidence.
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