A well-attended meeting of the Proportional Representation
opportunity of getting recognition for the ideals of the Society given by the Government's Reform Bill must not be missed. Lord Avebury pointed out that in 1874, and again in 1895—that is, twice in twenty-one years—the minority of the electors of this country secured a majority of Members in the House of Commons. That was a danger which would be obviated by proportional representation. Lord Avebury is quite right to dwell upon this aspect of the case, for it proves that those who desire proportional representation do so in no anti-democratic sense, and do not in any way wish to "jockey" the democracy out of their rights, but rather to give full and true weight to the popular voice. What we ask is that the authentic voice of the nation shall be attended to, and not, at best, the voice of the "odd man" alone, and at worst, the voice of a minority masquerading as a majority. Lord Cromer in an impressive speech dwelt upon the need of giving stability to the national policy, and pointed out how a just system of representation would produce stability.
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