The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1907

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2102, 10 June 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JUNE 10, 1907

REPRESENTATION. New Zealanders pride themselves on their democracy and their democratic form of government, and they have good reason so to do, for a more complete system for the representation of the people could noc bo found without some trouble; but it s quite another question whether the people of the colony guard their representation system and their rights thereunder with a care proportionate to the value of that system and 'those rights. Too often is it found that at municipal ballots on questions of great importance those entitled to vote do not exercise their right, and allow a small section of the voters to decide the matter. A case on similar lines has recently occurred in the Cook County—the recent by-election for a member to represent the Waikoliu Riding. A certain section of voters have been disfranchised owing to the non-arri-val of ballot-boxes, and it is now proposed to close the election without giving the country settlers affected a chance to record their votes. It :s asserted in some quarters that tlie votes in question would not make a material difference to the result of the election, but wo understand that quito the contrary is the fact. It would bo a scandal if a gentleman were elected to tlio County Council who does not represent the majority of settlors in his riding, and it is to bo hoped that steps will he taken bcfor next Saturday to seo that the settlers in question are not denied thoir invaluable rights at the ballot.