GENERAL ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1925, Page 1

GENERAL ELECTIONS

THE CASTINC VOTE. Discussing the question of the returning officer’s casting vote in a letter to the Timaru “Post,” Mr F. .T. Rollestoii, M.P., writes “ Under .Section -tO Hi) of The Legislature Act 190? it is provided that except in the ease of an equality of votes the returning officer shall not vote at any election. This being so. is there any reason why the returning officer should, when he is called upon to exercise his vote, tie placed in a different position from that of any other elector? Surely as a citizen lie should be able to record his vote a.s be pleases, and when he has done so the true expression of the people’s will is obtained. This would not be the case if the returning officer were bound to do what no one else is asked to do, viz., to exercise bis vote, not according to bis own conscience, but in accordance with some musty old precedent-. which is nowadays deservedly more honoured in the breach than in 1 fie observance. I think the returning officers in Lyttelton or Westland had just, as much right- to express their views on the Government of the eounliv as anyone else. Unfortunately, for i hem, there is no secrecy of the ballot, ami that surely is sufficient disability without seeking to disfranchise them altogether. If the returning officer was intended to give his casting vote as you suggest lie should have done, then it would have been a simple matter for the Legislature to have so enacted. There is no reason, either, why the returning officer should decide his vote bv lot. unless of course lie wishes to do so.’’