POLLING IN FOREIGN SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 9, 6 October 1943, Page 4

POLLING IN FOREIGN SHIPS

New Zealand Personnel

(Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) September 21.

Men of the third (N.Z.) Division nurno history last week when they cast their votes ’in the 1943 general election. For the lirst time, ships of foreign register were used as properly organized polling booths for a New Zealand election on the high sens. On the day appointed for polling, which was in advance of September 25, elements of the Division were being convoyed in United States shipping in the Solomons seas. Voting took place, in the mess rooms during the morning. Queues of all personnel passed in front of mess tables where polling clerks cheeked their numbers, names and electoral districts in the fashion approved at Dominion booths, were handed voting papers for the Parliamentary and Licensing issues and deposited them, in a ballot, box ns they passed out. Voting look from one to three hours.according to the number of men on each ship. Scattered elements of New Zealand Army, Navy and Air Force personnel voted at different times, whenever convenient. but in any case by the day preceding September 25. Results were forwarded by signal or mail to various central noints in the Pacific'and transmitted to "Wellington. There was no excitement connected with the voting-, though most men availed themselves of the opportunity to express a preference. A brochure embodying the main points of party platforms had been distributed beforehand so that everyone had Ihe opportunity of appreciating the issues. Nearly every man took a final glance at the list.-of candidates on the wails of the polling booths as he filled in his papers.