The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 16th, 1925. COMPULSORY ENROLMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 16th, 1925. COMPULSORY ENROLMENT

Undkh the legislation of last session, compulsory registration of electors is now being enforced by the authorities. The provisions of the Legislative Amendment Act require persons to enrol as electors. The system adopted is largely that in force in Australia, and tends to ensure a clean and full electoral roll. By compulsory enrolment the rolls are purged automatically, and the result should be all the more satisfactory in the final electoral roll to be used at general elections. Every person qualified to be enrolled, or as soon as he may become qualified, must now enrol on the card form supplied, and send or deliver the same to the Registrar of Electors for the district. By Gth. March every person qualified should be registered. Failure to register becomes an offence and renders the offender liable to a fine of os on the first conviction, or for any subsequent conviction, £l. The place of abide is the district for registration, and not the district where he has property or business interests. Where two electorates are contiguous, an elector may reside in one, and hare his business interests in another, but the former he-omes automatically his electoral district. It is necessary to notify all changes of ad-

dress and lailure to do so renders the guilty one liable to a penalty. It is well to put those oldigations on the electors, for it indicates a face value for electoral privileges,, and these should be guarded jealously bv those privileged to use them. The ordinary qualifications of electors apply, and the regulations made provide for the system of registration being carried out completely. The general effect as mentioned above, will he to provide a clean mil which should serve the true ] impose in eleefo d contests. The system promises to provide the material for theroll more quickly than the system formerly in fore* l . I lie obligation thrown on till* people to help Iheinst'lve.s in this matter is a right step, for it raises the value of the vote as something to lie secured. The right to vote should lie. guarded with core for it is the effective weapon of democracy lo enjoy the lilieral constitution we live under. For the best results, the greatest good for the greatest niiniher. it is essential that all qualified people should ho on the roll, and he in a posilinn to exercise their vote. This year, in the ordinary run of things, will witness a general election throughout the Dominion. P.iirnimcut will be to some purpose, and apart from escaping the penalties made and provided, electors will bo preparing for an event which is likely to have a material effect c-n the future of the country. The coining election is going to he a decisive one. and 011 that account the full voice of the people should he heard. 'Hie wise .folk will lose no time in enrolling themselves.