AMENDING THE ELECTORAL LAWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1734, 7 January 1888, Page 3

AMENDING T HE ELECTORAL LAWS.

The Wellington correspondent of the "Otogo Daily Times" writes :— Even at this early period of the recess Minister" have already begun the preparation of their measure* for next session, which It !« Intended to hold about the end of April unless unforeseen difficulties should Intervene, mnd amongst the earliest billn to be drafted will be those amending the electoral laws of the colony. I understand that the proceedings during th» late general elecMoa have disclosed the hot that roli-stoffi^g had been practiced In ■-•: ary parts of the colony to an almost incredible extent. It appears that.varioos devicei were praoticed to secure illicit registration, against which the law m its present shape affords no adeqnate protection. The experience at several of the recent elections has pointed to seme very marked blots m the law as it now stands, and has also indicated the direction m wh'oh remedial legislation should proceed I am not at liberty jnst yet to say by what means the Government purpose endeavoring to guard against this abuse of the liberal franchise accorded by the electoral laws of this colony — indeed the bills themselves have not been definitely considered m Cabinet, — but I have reason to believe that the definition of the qualification of electors will bs mado much more stringent, and will be so far amended M to confine the franchise strictly to those periotJß on whom Parliament intended it •hoald be bestowed The open nomination will also probably be done away with And written 'nomination substituted, as la the casb of local elections, while the ballot regulations will' undergo some reyision m the direction of scouring improved secresy and increased freedom from liability to undue Itfluence, The Corrupt Practices Prevention Act, too, |ias proved to a large extent futile m checking inch undue fofiuanoe, as one or two cases have very pointedly demonstrated, and this Act will be materially amended In the hope of rendering it more tffioacioua m attaining the end In view — namely, the enhanced purity of elections. These measures of reform will constitute quite a little croup of sets, amending as they will the Qualification of Electors Act, Regulation of Elections Act, »nd Oorrupt Practices Prevention Act, &c., but it is possible that they may all be embodied In one amending and conaplidating bill, ohould this on due consideration *»* f ou"d mre convenient.