POLLS AMENDMENT ACT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 76, Issue 7, 26 May 1944, Page 4

POLLS AMENDMENT ACT

blame councillors for what was done, the Chairman and Clerk were the guilty partners, but the councillors should have condemned this action or want of action. I would like to know how many Maoris were enrolled, particularly in the chairman's riding. The chairman's remarks when the Act was passed is proof of. his bitter antagonism. The Tory element still prevails, but there will be a day of reckoning. No matter what legislation is passed, it is the duty of those in authority to carry it out to the. letter. Yours etc., D. ALEXANDER. Edgecumbe 21/5/44.

Sir, —May I be allowed further space to reply to tlie assertions made by the County (Chairman and Clerk at their last meeting. They certainly made an attempt to place all the blame on the Government. Even granting that time was, limited, I still place the blame on the County Clerk. Note the wording of the resolution passed at the. meeting "The Government only left one week in j which county residents could take the necessary procedure." If that was so why were residents only al-< lowed two days to enrol. Why did j not the County Clerk get busy and j issue enrolment forms immediately he received the information. Some one intervened here. He. knew the Act was on the Statue Book, he also knew the work it. entailed. I venture to say in one week, hundreds more would have, been enrolled, but | the powers that be did not desire this. But the gem of the meeting was the statement by the County Clerk. He did not think anyone in Matata would require forms. Who is he to judge? Is it not the. desire of us all to encourage the people generally to take more interest, in local and national affairs. I feel sure all councillors will agree with that. Granted in the past there has been apathy, I venture to predict on this coming election this attitude will be reversed and a substantial vote recorded. It is interesting to note from the. "Beacon" report only one councillor outside the * chairman joined in the discussion. I do not (Continued in previous column)