ELECTORAL MATTERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 5, 1 October 1919, Page 8

ELECTORAL MATTERS

STATE OF. THE ROLLS

MR. MASSEY APPROVES COMPULSORY VOTING

Electoral matters wore the subjcct of a debate in tho Houso of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Tho discussion arose from the introduction of a Legislature Amondment Bill by Mr. A. E. Glover (Auckland Contral), who .isked for improved provision for the recording of sailors' votes.

Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) said that at every olcction thousands of doctors found that their ftames |iad been removed from tho rolls without just cause. He asked for a penal clause to deal with tho persons responsible for' such excisions. Tho improper removal of a name from tho roll ought to be regarded as an offence as serious as fraudulent enrolment.

Dr. A. K. Nowman (Wellington' East) said tho position of the rolls was most unsatisfactory. At every election hundreds of nerions fully entitled to vote found that their names had been removed from tho rolls, while at the samo time many persins who had not fulfilled the conditions nf tho electoral law wero on. the rolls, and were entitled to vote. There had been grave cause for suspicion in connection with somo of the Wellington by-elections. People who had liot fulfilled the conditions of the law as to residence had been able to vote. He thought that what was needed 1 was not legislation, but a tightening nip of the 'existing law, and stronger staffing of the electoral offices. .- i , •

Mr. G. J. Anderson (Mataura) sai.d that under present conditions tho registrars could not keep the rolls in good order. Thev lacked the power to check all tho names. He mentioned that certain Mataura electors had voted in the A.wanm electorate at two general elections before it. was discovered that a mistake hsi<v been made.

The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Mttssev) said his desire was to see clean rolls in every electorate. His desire was shared by the officers of the Electoral Department, He knew that mistakes had been made-in the past, and he feared they would be made again. The,blame must rest in'part with tho electors themselves. The people ought to attach more value to the vote, and see for themselves that they were properly ..enrolled.' If they did that much trouble .would be avoided. Mr. Massey added that now was . the time for ele' tors, to see they were properly placed, on-the rolls in readiness for tho general election.' If an elector left the matter until Rafter- the writs were, issued, and then discovered that his name was not included, it would be too,late to remedy, tho mistake. There was plenty ■of time now for people to attend to their own enrolment. * "

Sir John Findlay (Hawke's Bay): Don't you think voting should be compulsory? Mr.'Massey: I dor I lhare come to that conclusion'. ; I\don't know ,if it is possible to arrange it, but I have come to the conclusion that voting should be compulsory. . He agreed also -that there 'should be a penalty provided for the person who removed a. name from an electoral roll without just cause. Mr. T. M. Wilford (Hutt) said that tlhe stuffing of rolls was less likely to occur at a general election than -at a byelection. A' general election involved all the electorates, and there was less temptation to move names from ono roll to another.' Mr. Semgle (Wellington South): You have no- proof thai such a thing did happen. • Mr.'Wilford: I didn'j; say so. Mr. Semplc: -The honoiirable member insinuated. it. He has no proof.

Mr.' Wilford added that he'did not think compulsory voting was practicable. People could not bo'forctid to exercise a vote. ' , 1

Sir John JFindlay "supported compulsory voting. ■ The exercise of-the franchise ought to be regarded as a duty 1 as well as a privilege. ■ "Voting should be on the same footing as-service on -juries. The difficulties wero not as: great as had been suggested.

Mr. H.-Holland (Grey) denied that the rolls had been filled improperly in the.interests of' Labour "candidates at- byelection's. He would support compulsory' voting if the proposal "wore made, but he thought that people who did not exercise the franchise did not deserve to (have fr. -

Dr. -Newman, in explanation, said lie had not referred tti one party oa" to one election. His remarks' had had a general application.

Mr.- L. M. Isilt (Christehurcli North) thought it- would be impossible to enforce compulsory voting. One .of the obstacles, would be the presence in She community of certain foolish people whb did not wish to vote, i\nd who would become conscientious objectors, if any attempt were made to force them to exercise the franchise;