The Globe. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1227, 8 February 1878, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1878.

The time has once more arrived when claims to vote can bo registered, and no one possessing the qualification, who is not already on tho roll, should omit to do so. If over there was a time when this duty was incumbent upon us it is now. In all probability before this year has terminated an appeal will have been made to tho people on several very important questions. At the close of last session the Premier gave a short sketch of the future intentions of his Government. He pointed out the great difficulties which resulted from tho absence of what ho called well-defined parties in tho Legislature. He thought it was essential that w r ell defined parties should exist, and that the inhabitants should have an opportunity of taking from either one party or the other, leaders who are capable of giving effect to the well formed desires and wishes of the great majority of tho people. His Ministry would therefore, next session, endeavour to remedy, as far as possible, the evil he complained of, by bringing forward great and well defined measures, which must have tho effect of creating a strong public opinion throughout the country. One of these measures, we are told, will be a Bill to secure a franchise of the most liberal description. Then the incidence of taxation is to bo adjusted by increasing it in one direction, and diminishing it in another. The other point to which attention is to bo directed is tho securing “ a simple means by which the lands of the colony may bo occupied with greater facility than has hitherto been the case—occupied indeed under a system of such fairness, that it will bo impossible for an advantage over others to be given to one class of tho community, or to a single individual, and under which such facilities will bo afforded as will enable every man who desires it to secure a homo for himself and his family in this country.” Those three great measures are to bo brought forward to remedy what tho Premier regards as a great evil—the absence of well defined parties in the House. Whether he regards them as merely means to an end, or look upon thorns as most importantin themselves, is notquite •clear. At any rate it is very questionable if his primary aim will bo secured by tho introduction of tho measures referred to. As regards tho franchise, we do not think Sir G. Grey will succeed in raisin g any great popular agitation. At the present moment, tho power of voting is practically within tho reach of every man wlio wishes to exorcise the privilege. There afo few men in tho colony wo hope who cau, uot popeeps themselves of t-be

necessary qualifications. As a matter of fact there are thousands not on the electoral roll at all who ought to lm there, and who have only to blame their own neglect that their names are absent from it. The real difficulty does not lie in the want of the qualification, but in our system of registration. Were that put on a simple footing, the number of electors would be largely increased. Were every man’s name on the electoral roll who is entitled to a vote, any sane measure of reform which Sir G. Grey could introduce would not materially increase the number. Of course he might propose some wild scheme, which would throw open the polling booths to every man who presented himself to vote, but we greatly mistake the wishes of the people of Now Zealand if such a measure receive any large support. Every man who chooses, and who resides sufficiently long in one district, can, under the present law, qualify himself to vote, and the industrious and sober citizen is not likely, therefore, to applaud the efforts of the Premier in trying to place the preponderance of political power in the hands of the loafer and the tranlp. Yet any measure short of that would not result in dividing the people of the colony into two rival parties. A judicious lowering of the qualification, and a simplification of the law relating to registration, would moot with scarcely any opposition, as such a course would not materially alter the character of the present constituencies. As regards a change in the incidence of taxation, there will no doubt bo a difference of opinion. Bnt oven this question would not permanently divide the House into two great parties. Last session our representatives expressed an opinion in favor of such a change, but it is evident from the votes recorded on that occasion that the inti’odnction of such a measure would not have the effect the Premier professes to aim at—the creation of two well defined parties in the House of Representatives. As regards the effect of the third measure mentioned, it is impossible to form any opinion whatever. The utterances of Sir G. Grey on the subject are two indefinite and shadowy to bo capable even of discussion. When put into practical shape, it will probably be found to bo on a par with the other measures of the present Government. Wo have endeavoured to show that the end proposed by the Premier in introducing the above measures —the creation of two great parties—is not likely to be secured. They nevertheless involve questions on which an appeal to the country may be made, and should a general election take place it is important that the voice of the people should be clearly and distinctly expressed. This can only be done by every man who has the qualificacation taking the necessary steps to have his name placed on the roll, and those who do so before March 31st may in all probability be in a position to vote at the next general election.