REGISTRAR OF ELECTORS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 555, 27 October 1902, Page 4

REGISTRAR OF ELECTORS.

COMPLIiT rS 0F niOHIBITIOIsHSTS

DEPUTATION TO THE aCl‘’ INQ ' PREMIER. A large deputation representing the Prohibiton League waited on Sir Joseph Ward, the Acting Premier, on Friday, at Auckland, to represent some maulers bearing on the registration of electors. Mr Georgo Fowlds, M.H.R., introduced the deputation, which pointed out that it had been stated by tho Premier and Sir Joseph Ward that both parties had been guilty at the last election of irregularities in trying to “stuff the roll,” and this statement having been made in response to complaints from the temperance organisations, it was naturally inferred that they were one of the guilty parties. They therefore respectfully suggested Sir Joseph Ward to state whether the inference was intended by him, and if so on what grounds the statement was made, as they explicitly and categorically denied his imputation. Sir Joseph Ward said he had never at any time made any statement referring to the temperance party stuffing the rolls,

either in Auckland or any other part of the colony. What had been mistaken totsuch a statement was the remark he made on the-floor of the House, when he said both sides had attempted to stuff the rolls, meaning both sides of the House, and not in any way tho temperance party. Sir Fowlds said he had no doubt in his mind that it was tho political parties Sir Joseph Ward referred to. Referring to complaints made against

the Registrar of Electors, Sir J. Ward said the Government did not want the registrars of electors to do anything except to see that every person over 21 years of age in tho colony had a right to vote for tim district in which they resided. The

registrar in Auckland had promised him to see as far as was in his power that a 1 were properly registered. They must, however, bear in mind that the rolls had boon much hurried this time.

Mr Fowlds said still they had gentlemen present who asserted that Mr King had absolutely refused to transfer their names. Sir Joseph said he would see the registrar, who was bound to give effect to what the law required. It would be the duty of the registrar to give effect to what the electors desired in a proper way. Mr Pierce said about six weeks ago he went to the registrar’s office, when he was asked, “ Are you a prohibitionist ’?” He astied what did that matter ? Mr King said : “ The reason I ask is because there are such a tremendous lot of prohibitionists coming in,”

Sir Joseph Ward said it was not the duty of a registrar of electors to question anybody in that way. His duty was to put electors on the roll. If they wished he would see that the matter was inquired into. The Government did not care whether a man was a prohibitionist or not. Every man had a right to his opinion and his vote. He would ask the registrar again to do his best to see that everyone was on the roll who had a right to be there.

Birmingham has upwards of -10.000 back-to-back houses and 600 courts, which are entered from tunnelis from the street, states the city's medical officer of health.

The Milton Borough Council las accepted a tender for its new Town Hali, which is to cost £2727.