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Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1924, Page 2

Mu M.isskv has failed very noticeably to honor the promises made with regard to necessary electoral reform. Ever since 1912 the premise has been in existence, and repeated from time to time. .Some attempt was made to honor tho pledge ill the proposed reform of the Upper House wherein an electoral change was proposed. Again in regard to the Lower House, there was tin- proposal, at least for a hybrid system, uhereby preferential voting was to apply to cities, and the existing system retained for country seats. But Mr Massey's courage, no doubt for party reasons, has failed him and the principle, in both instances, has been dropped. The substitute electoral bill provides for individual enrolment, under a penalty for neglect to do so. This is intended to save the Government the cost of enrolling, which it is expected will reduce the electoral charges liv £15,000. Hitherto it has been considered most important to have as complete and clear a roll as possible, hence the occasion for sending out canvassers to enrol. There is a fair percentage of people, despite the im-

portance of the occasion who are in<l iflerent whether they vote or not. This is emphasised over and over again in both general and local poitirs. It is noticeable particularly in regard to loan polls etc., where, invariable, the percentage of votes recorded i.s often very low. Tn regard to the local option polling, it requires a good deal of heating up by the enthusiasts on the rival sides to get people to the polls, which is another instance of the public indifference to electoral matters. The Home election will give another example of the three-party fighting and its effect at polling times, and may assist to direct more concentrated attention on the subject of meeting the position here with the object of getting some expression of majority opinion governing the choice of candidates elected. In regard to the votes of absentees, tho proposals in the new I

bill arc commendable. They simplify tlie position, and will enables a greater number of absentee votes to be recorded, though possible abuses will require to bo safeguarded as much as possible.

It will he a reflection oil the good sense of all concerned if the possible destruction of a mile section of lino bush country fringing the main south road near Fergusons, is not avoided permanently, 'ilie land in question belongs to the Ross Borough Council, which disposed of the timber cutting rights to a local sawmilling linn. The complete area is about 3CO acres, and it is considered necessary to reserve some 70 acres at least of standing bush, to preserve the scenery. It will, ol course, lie a crying shame if the millers go the length of destroying the sccuie asset the tract of bush country is. It is understood that the millers have offered to take other hush laud in exchange to save the portion fringing the load, 'but some dill'erenco lias arisen between the milling firm and the State Forest Service as to tramway rights involving access to some of the timber country it is desired to acquire in exchange. It is at this stage that matters have come to a deadlock. There has boon an enquiry and negotiations up to a certain point, and alternative proposals have been submitted by the two parties. With matters at a standstill, it is high time the Minister of I,anils stepped in and exon isod such authority as he possesses I to save the scenic a tea beyond ail doubt. In previous years the district lost the beauty of Mirror Creek at Lake Mahinapua because of the inaction |'if the Lands Department-. Jf the. bush avenue on the south road is to he lost similarly, it will l:c a national calamity, for people from all pasts of tbo Dominion are now passing up and down the south load, and probably no part is more admired or gives greater pleasure to the average traveller than the journey through Ferngrovc avenue. There is but one other line of roadway in New Zealand to compare with I'Yrngrovc avenue, and that is Hongi’s track in the North Island. The merits of the dispute governing the fate of p'erngrove should not be difficult of settling on lines equitable to tbo parties i-onierned. If the Minister would set up an independent tribunal to go into tbo case, a eouplo of hours should settle the matter. As it is. if the position is allowed to drift, milling ope;i'q|tiiins will penetrate tbo hush it. is desired to preserve, ami that will lie the end of its scenic glory anil will not bring back the beauty and pleasure it affords new.