VOTING IN VICTORIA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 508, 15 May 1909, Page 11

VOTING IN VICTORIA.

Those who have had anything to do with enrolling women in New 'Zealand and who have experienced, the trouble that often arises over the signing of anything so ejaborate as our enrolment form, will appreciate the trials and tribulations of the Victorian officials wh'o are at present trying to enrol tho 327,000 women wno have just ' been granted the franchise in that State. The Government could, have passed a simple constitutional amending Bill, for a large proportion of those' women were on tho roll,. for the Federal elections already, and .it . would havo been a simple thing for ; the Government to have passed a Bill adopting the Commonwealth rolls of female voters for use'by the . State. Instead of doing this, however, they. have : gone to the trouble of enrolling them; separately,' with the result that two-thirds of the women will be disfranchised till April, 1910, at least. The following is the official .list of questions to be answered, by each applicant for enrolment: , 1. What are your- names . and surname?- Your residence (including the street and the number or name—if any—of the house in which you reside) ? and your occupation? 2. Are you of the full age of 21 years? 3. Are you a natural-born or a naturalised subject of his Majesty King Edward the Seventh? Which? (And if tho answer be "naturalised"): Havo you resided in Yic-

tonaT for ' twelve months previously to the first day of January last? ' ' 4. Ilavo you 1 before received an elector's •right in respect of . residence for any division of any district in Victoria? (And if tho answer- 'be ! "Yes"): • .What division and district?! . ' ''' . r";" ... '■ ■ 5. Do you now' reside in Victoria?;' And for what„-time during the;last twelve months' have;you so resided? Do, you now reside in the division,for which you apply? And dur-' iiig what time now last past have you so resided thorein F Or as well therein as in some other division of thevdistrict? And.'in . what division? Where are the premises on which you reside? And "whether are you the occupying tenant; of or a • lodger or person employed on such premises? . - If'you are a lodger or person employed on the premises, what! is the name of the occupier of the premises? 6. State the name, address, and occupation of your employer (if any). 7. Are you at present receiving ■ relief as an inmate of. any eleemosynary or charitable institution other than a' hospital ?