5 FEBRUARY 1921, Page 3

We are pleased to see that the Proportional Representation Society

is holding another model election this week, through the medium of the newspapers, to familiarize the public with the system. Fifteen men and women well Imown in politics are named on the ballot-paper, and seven are to be elected. The voter is asked to indicate his preference by putting the

figure 1. against the name Of his first choice, 2 against his second. choice, and so on. The result will be announced next Monday. Every one who cares to fill up the ballot-paper and post it to the returning officer will see that " P.R." is really very simple' indeed. As Lord Wolmer points out in a covering letter, the advantages of " P.R." are great, while the disadvantages of our present electoral system are flagrant. The Coalition would not have had such an overwhelming majority in 1918, nor would Sinn Fein have captured 72 seats in Ireland, if "I':R." had: been in force. Majorities that are wholly disproportionate to the voting power behind them either discourage or exasperate the minorities. The revolutionaries would have been ignored if the Labour Party and the Independent Liberals had had a fairer share of representation at Westminster.