DATE CHANGE IN LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Chronicle (Levin), 7 March 1947, Page 8

DATE CHANGE IN LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

—Press Association

DISCUSSION AT MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

By Telegrap/i-

ROTORUA, Yfarch 5. v Much of the discussion at the inaugural business session of the 34t.h Municipal Association (..'onference in Rotorua today was devoted to the legislative change of time for the holding of local body elections from May to Noveiuber, the utilising of Parliamenlary rolls i'or these elections, and the extension of time of eiosing of polling jjlaces from 6 to 7 p.111. The subject was inlroduced by a remit sponsored by the Rotqruu Borough (Jouucil and presented by tne Muyor, Alr. P. A. Ivusabs, asking the eonference to consider tlie clianges made. under the Local Elections and Polls Ameiuluient Aet, 194(1, and, if Noveiuber was not deemed Ihe niost suitable inontli for Joeal elections, to niake urgent representations to have tlie law ameadetl lo provide for elections at a time most suitable to the bodies directly eoncerned. The chairman of the eonference, Mr. J. W. Andrevvs, Lower Hutt, then read cogent submissions he had made to tlie local biils commitlee of Ihe House, pointing out the mnnerous weaknesses of the new measure and refemng particularly to that pari of the amending Bill authorising Ihe use of tlie Pa'rlia mentary roll which had already proved utterly uuvvorkable in oue Wellington instance. The loose suggestion of allowing declaratory votes nullilied the former provision for compulsory registration and opened the door to 'pluial voting. Auckland, Wellington, Levin,. Palmerston North, Christchurch and Eastbourne delegates spoke in favour of a reatiirmation of Mr. Andrevv's sulimtissions and Alr. W. G. Belton, president of the Counties Association, who was present by invitation, also intimated that his association was strongly behiiui |he submissions made. M r. E. M. Wise (Eastbourne) said no reason had been given for the change. To this the chairman rtplied that the Minister in charge of the Bill had said oue of the main reasons was to get better weather for the poll. Mr. W. J. Rogers (Wanganui) declared that a case had been made for changes liefore the Local Bodies Conimission. 1 A motion to reaffirm the chairman 's protest, with speeial emphasis on the objection to changing the poll .from May to November, was carried on the voices, oue or two dissentmg. Mr. M. E. Lyons (Christchurch) moved and Mr. W. J. Rogers (Wanganui) seconded a Christchurch remit that the Government be requested to .introduee regulations under the Local Elections Amendment Aet requiring registrars of electors to advi.se the appropriate local bodies of any nevv enrplment or change of name or address which may conie to their notice and which would affect local bodies' rolls. Mr. Lvons said that in vievv of the assurance of Mr. Parrv, Minister of Internal Affairs, in his opening address, that electoral oflicers would be instructed to consult with local body returning pffi-, c.ers, the malion was probably unnocessary. However, it was incumbent on an eleetor who changed his address to notify the registrar and it was necessarv for local bodies, in order to niake "a perfectly rotten law" work, to have the fullest cooperation. Mr. ,1. A. C. Allum (Auckland) moved an amendment that the question be referred to the exec.utive to take any aetion deemed necessary. They did 11 oi wish to prevent people from voting, he said, but it was undesirable to give any eolour to the suggestion that tliey approved of the new legislation. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Will Appleton (Wellington). they did not want. to»adopt "a dog ijj the manger " attitude as was indicated by the amendment, dec.Tared Mr. E. H. Andrews. They were subject to legislation aud it was inc.umbent. on them to try to make the best of it instead of saying "we won 't jilay". The amendment- was carried by 61 votes to 51.