THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1741, 18 September 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1879.

The comparatively small number of votes polled at the late Christchurch election must bo most surprising to any one wbo takes into consideration tho excitement that, for tho time being, convulsed tho colony. Out of about 4000 electors but 2500 recorded tbeir votes. No doubt it is hard to account for this apathy on the part of such a large number of electors. Tho questions of tho day wore well placed before the constituency at large. Tho candidates wore unsparing in their endeavours to lay their views in full before the electors. Meetings, wo might almost say by the dozen, were bold, some of tbem in central spots of the population, others in tho outskirts of the city. The organisation of Mr Heeves’ Association, at all events, was held to he perfect, and if the efforts of the other side were supposed by some to be not so combined as they might have been, yet they to a certain extent relied on the interest which, it was imagined was stirring in all classes of society, to bring those wbo tbongbt with them up to the polling booth at tho critical moment. Either, therefore, the interest felt in political questions was confined to a bare majority of electors, or certain circumstances militated against the full record of the votes of the constituency. Probably, as is generally tho case in such questions, the truth lay between these two extremes. It is impossible, after what has occurred, to imagine that the questions of the day have convulsed the Christchurch population. There has been an immense amount of talk, and the more active members on both sides have been figuratively squaring up against each other in a most liomeric fashion, but tho fact remains that 1500 electors out of 4000 cared so little for the ideas that were agitating their more excitable neighbors that they did not take tho trouble of exercising thoir electoral privileges. This is not satisfactory, viewed politically. Such a course of proceeding throws the political power in any community entirely into the hands of its most actively disposed members, and although, no doubt, it may be asserted that their very exertions entitle tho latter to tho possession of preponderance of power in determining the political questions of the day, yet it is evident that the theory of responsible government is based on tho assumption that all classes of minds shall have their say in the choice of representatives. The state of affairs which obtained in Christchurch during the late elections must consequently be a matter of anxiety to all true liberals. And perhaps they may feel inclined to take the loss gloomy view of the question. They may consider that various causes outside of political apathy have thoir part in preventing tho proper record of votes, oven in times of apparently the most violent political agitation, and they will endeavour by judicious legislation to remedy the defects of the present system. First among these defects may bo classed the early hour at which the poll closes. It is manifestly absurd that that hour should ho four o’clock. Numbers of electors are not able to sacrifice tho time which should bo devoted to business to voting for a candidate with whoso views they coincide. Many of these are “ steering so close to the wind ” in their private affairs that they may feel that, in justice to thoir families, they cannot afford to throw away even tho small space of time requisite to record their votes. Others may be apt to lay the flattering unction to their souls that thoir solitary vote can do little towards influencing the result of the election. Were they able to go to the polling booths after the close of their day’s business they could do so. It would then involve no sacrifice, and would be more of a pleasure than a duty. Tho early closingjjof the poll is to both these classes, as well as to others who may be movedby other motives, a decided grievance. And this is a question which has been taken up by all true liberals both in New Zealand and elsewhere. Mx - . Stevens, for instance, has, for a length of time, strongly urged his views in this matter, both in tho House and before bis constituency. In England Sir Charles Dilko last year, by dint of strenuous exertion, can-ied a bill by which the hours of voting in the Metropolis wore extended to eight in the evening, and Mr. Chamberlain, tho other day, in bringing forward a bill extending the same privilege to the provincial towns, was only defeated by a majority of 25 in a House of more than 350 members. Moreover, tho arguments used against the extension wore not satisfactory. It was admitted that in London no evil results wore likely to flow from tho extension of time granted. Tho additional expense was shown to ho immaterial, but it was thought that bribery was more likely to bo committed after dark than by daylight. Such an excuse would not of course “ hold water” for an instant. If a constituency is to bo trusted at all, it cannot bo supposed to bo composed of individuals who are not to bo trusted out after dark. Tho real question is, as urged by Sir Charles Dilko, whether it is fair to tax the exorcise of tho franchise by calling upon a man to make a pecuniary sacrifice for the sake of recording bis vote. Under tho present system in New Zealand, the more saving a man may be the loss inclined ho must ho to exorcise his electoral privileges. The class of men who would vote after business hours .would be formed of tho very men who would bo least likely to create disturbances under the cover of night. It is to bo trusted that tho Legislature will

seo to tho matter during the coming session. A measure extending the hours of polling will he welcome to tho country at large, and must commend itself to all liberal-minded politicians.