ELECTION PLANS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1928, Page 2

ELECTION PLANS

HUGE PRINTING ORDER. WELLINGTON, Sept. 13. That a million and a half ballot papers will be needed in the licensing poll at tlie general election was one of the items of information given by the Hon A. D. McLeod, Minister in charge of the Electoral Department, when he was questioned regarding some election preliminaries in the House to-day. Mr Elliott (Oroua) stated he understood that some licensing ballot papers had already ’been printed. If that was so he was anxious to know whether provision had l>oon made for two or for three issues.

“That’s quite easy,” suggested Air Sullivan (Avon) to the Minister when lie rose to reply. Air M’Leod explained that in accordance with the law a few absent voters ballot papers had had to he prepared, hut the larger number .required for t\het general election had not been printed. Air Holland, leader of the Opposition: How many'issues are on those which you printed? The Minister: I cannot say until I get the papers.

Mr Lysnar: Of course you need not have asked the question. Air Holland, remarking that the. reply had covered some of the points he wished to raise, inquired, if, it was a fact that the ballot papers printed did contain three issues. Ho also wished to know if it. was a fact that an order was placed with a private printing firm. If so, the Minister could state the Government’s reasons for diverting work from the Government printer. Was that part of the Government’s surrender to the 1928 Committee?

The Hon A. D. McLeod replied that only 5 per cent, of the licensing papers had been printed. No orders had been given to a private firm, hut according to custom when preparations were being made to have ballot papers printed In- the Government printer that official notified that unless there was considerable time available lie could not undertake the work. It could not be started until the Licensing Bill was finally disposed of. Air Parry: Over 109,000 papers have been printed. The Minister: Yes, but' the total to ho printed is some one and a half million.