RECENT ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1751, 16 May 1913, Page 6

RECENT ELECTIONS.

STATE OF ROLL. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION. Matters connected villi the conduct of the recent municipal elections, and the state oi' the roll used at tho election were under discussion at Inst night's meeting of the City Council. Tile discussion arose in consequence of a motion by Councillor Uindmarsh. The motion read as follows : "That a commiOteo of five councillors bo set up:—(a) To report to the council the reasons of tho Town Clerk in sinking oft' (lie roll a largb nunrber of electors who had voted at tho previous election for Mayor, and qualified to vote at tho last election, (b) Generally to report on the state of 1 the roll used at the last election, (c) The conduct of election, (d) To report 011 tho system of (be compilation of the roll and the roll it displaced and' to malco suggestions generally on electoral matters dealing with the election of Mayor and city councillors and tho taking of a poll 011 tho half-holiday question."

In speaking to tho motion, Councillor Ilindinarsh referred to various defects that had been found in tlio roll on the day of the cicctioil and to the situation that had arisen ill connection with the half-holiday petition. He stated that all he desired "'as "a more perfect system." Councillor M'lCenzie, who seconded the motion, staled that in doing so, he did not desire to oast any reflection on the officers of tlie council concerned in tlio administration of the law. After Councillors Tregear and Frost had spoken 111 favour of (he motion, Councillor Atkinson, slated that he hod heard 110 complaints in regard to tlio conduct of the elections. He would move, as an amendment, that the committee be set" up:— 1. To report on tho state of the law regulating municipal elections. 2. To report on the state of the roll in force in this city. Councillor Wright seconded tlio amend- ■ nient and in doing so remarked that ho would like to kutnv something in regard to tho distribution of rolls which had been placed in possession of people in different parts of (ho city to mislead them. These contained the names of some thousands of electors, who liaiV' been struck off. He would like fo know who ordered tlio.-e bogus rolls that had been placed round the city (o deceive citizens, and he hoped the inquiry would embrace that phase of Ihe question. Councillors Luckie, Fuller, Thompson, Barber, and Fitzgerald expressed various views on the subject. At II p.m. Councillor Gcdber moved that (lie discussion be adjourned until the next meeting of (he council. This was carried before the members, who objected, had time to call for a division.