THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 648, 15 March 1870, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1870.

Those of our readers who have not yet taken the trouble to have their names placed -upon the Electoral Roll will do well to remember that the present is the last month during which they can have another opportunity of retrieving their error. It is a great mistake for any person who possesses the necessary qualification to neglect, or refuse to exercise the rights of citizenship, but sti.l there are many who persist, for various reasons, in doing so, who take no interest whatever in political affairs, care not under what form of Government they live, or who represents them in the councils of the Colony. Let us hope that the number of such individuals is rapidly becoming less, and in order that they may be so in our own community we appeal to all to see that their applications to have their namea placed on the Electoral Hull are sent into the proper office before the 313t of the present month, after which no application can be received until next year, • At the present time there are special reasons for this being done as extensively as possible — indeed there is ample reason for a committee of citizens to take the matter in hand, and insist upon their fellow townsmen doing their duty as members of a settled community. These reasons are the exceptional position in which Greymouth is placed, as a portion of the Westland boroughs, returning one member to the House of Represeutai tives in conjunction with Hokitika, where the preponderance of the voting power at present exists. As the roll stands at present Greymouth can easily be outvoted by her larger sister town in the coming elections, and some endeavor ought to be made by us, if possible, to remedy this by making the balance of power ;aore equal. It may be thought that we are premature in referring to the next general election for the House of Representatives, because another session of the existing Parliament has yet to be held before the general election, but it mustbe bor.ne in mind that thQ roll which i 3 now about to be made up is the one upon which, the general election will be taken, if no unforeseen, occurrence should take place, in the shape af an appeal to the country during next session, }t is highly probable that during the coming session a recoustructu.il of the representation of the Colony will be effected, and as a natural consequence a member- will be allotted .fy) Greyraouth, but s,tijl the roll which will bs made, up in April 1871 does not come into force until the following October, so that those who wish to vote at the next general election, must register before the 31st inst. It is noticeable that, as usual, the Government <jffer no facilities to thg public to cffoQt registration, no public information is afforded, and no printed /forms will be supplied. To get over these difficulties a gentleman in Hjokitika takes, the. matter in hand as a -private speculation, provides the necessary document, waits upojti the

unregistered, and for a small fee undertakes the preliminaries, If the matter ia not taken in hand here by a Citizen's Committee, or by gome publicrspirited individual, it will be regretted when the day qf election comes, so that there is good reason to 2)vess for some effort being made in this direction within thg next few days,