PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1922, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY JOTTINGS

i PURGING THE ROLLS. I Further complaints that the method now being employed by the Electoral Department in preparing the rolls for the forthcoming election is likely to

jeopardise the votes of electors, were made in the House by Mr W. T. Jennings. He asked whether the Prime Minister was aware that thousands of

names were being struck off the rolls, including those of people who must he well known to the officers of the Department. “I was in New '.Plymouth last Monday,” lie said, “and found that my naine had been struck off, and

I was told nt the post office that the officers did not know anyone of the name of AY. T. Jennings.’ A memher: Such is fame.

Mr Jennings fiirtlior stsiti'd Hint in one back-blocks district frinncr.s who had resided in the locality for the last 20 years, and who had voted at (.he last three elections, had found their iiaines struck off the roll, while in

Waitnmo electorate alone, no fewer than ,‘toOO names had hcen struck off He asked that the position be fully stated, so that electors would know what they had to do to ensure enrolment.

The Prime Minister said it was tinfortunately a fact that a larjxe number of names which should have been left l on had been struck off the rolls, and ho would do his best to see that the matter was put right. He hoped, however, that the electors would take sufficient interest in the election to see that their names were on the roll. The law had not been altered, and people

going to the poll and finding that their names lmd been struck off could certify that they wore entitled to a yote. and exercise that vote.

In answer to a further question, the Prime Minister said that it was the practice in the past to deposit a copy of the roll at all post offices, where electors could examine it, and he would see whether this practice had been discontinued.

THE RABBIT NUISANCE. A conference of those in ter os tell in ousting the rabbit nest is suggested by the Director-General of Agriculture in his annual report to Parliament.

T)r Reakos says that conflict lias arisen between those interested in the eommcreial side of the rabbit trade and the Department’s officers, together with settlers who are in earnest in rabbit destruction, hence a position has been reached where a new policy which will cut the present knot of conflicting interests should be determined noon. Tt must lie based on bringing about final eradication of the nest to such a degree as is practically possible. Mow best to do this under present circumstances constituted a very definite problem. Tn working out the new policy, it was suggested that conflicting j interests should be brought togetheri for discussion. The main points to lie dealt with would appear to be: (1) The adaptation of the present lucrative trade in r.dbbitskins to a system practically and financially in the gradual eradication of the nest, so far ns practically possible; (2) stringent control and regulation of rabbit trapping; the formation outside of rabbit board districts of settlers’ rabbit associations for bringing about simultaneous poisoning and concerted action generally; (4) the establishment of a system under which rabbit netting fences will be utilised with Government co-operation to the fullest extent rendered possible by financial considerations ; (.->) a readjustment of the departmental s.wtem of inspection