The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1928. ELECTORS’ RIGHTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1928. ELECTORS’ RIGHTS.

It has been said that in no other country in the world is it so easy to record one’s vote at an election as it is in New Zealand. Such being the case, it hohoves all the people entitled to vote to exercise their great privilege. With an election for the General Assembly in sight, as well as a poll on the Licensing issue, it is well to see that all eligible people are on the foil. Only a few days remain for that

purpose, In the ordinary course the roll will close on Friday evening next, arid those with the necessary qualifications in New Zealand should lose no time in making sure they are on the roll. A copy of the roll is at every Post Cilice and forms for enrolment are obtainable at the same office. Actually there is not any reason for not being enrolled. Persons who are out of the electorate on polling day, become “aosent voters,” and are eligible to vote at any polling booth where the absent one Happens to be on polling day. He enters the polling booth and tells the Deputy Returning officer of his wishes to; vote as an absent voter. He has to sign a form that he. is eligible and he receives the voting papers which lie uses, and the papers are disposed of by the Deputy in the manner provided, the papfers eventually reaching the proper quarter, when they are counted in with the final returns. Then there is the opportunity of voting by declaration. A 'person may enter a booth and he may find his name crossed off the roll. He may claim a vote, nevertheless, and he votes by declaration, signing a special form in which he claims his eligibility, and lie receives the -ballot papers which are forwarded 'With the declaration to be counted in due course if the claim to vote is finally allowed. This year there is a new privilege provided—the privilege of postal voting. Those eligible to vote by post include electors who will be absent from New Zealand on polling day; those who will not on polling day be within five miles of any polling booth ; those who are ill or infirm, including maternity patients, and lighthouse keepers, wives and staffs who are enrolled. To secure the right of voting by post, it is essential for those eligible to apply to the Returning Officer of the district as soon as posable after the issue of the writs, due to be issued on Friday next. A form will be supplied on which the application is to be made, witnessed only by those specified. In due course the ballot papers will be supplied, and being©completed should be posted at once to the Returning Officer. These extra facilities to vote should add considerably to the total voting. The general elector who is able to vote in the ordinary way, by attendance at a polling booth, is not likely to neglect his opportunity. Indeed, it is a duty to vote. In Australia it is compulsory to vote, under penalty of a fine for neglect. New Zealand has not got as far as, that yet, though it is compulsory to enroll. However, the obligatory duty to vote is there all the same, and as the country deserves the Government it receives, the mass voting should l>e as complete as possible so as to record the verdict of the whole and not the part. It is found very often that elections have been lost through neglect to vote. Actually there is no sound reason now for neglect in that respect. The privilege of voting by post has removed the last solid ground on that score for even tho sick and infirm are

embraced In those eligible while absentees; within a certain period are assured oi a vote also. The men and women ol the times are therefore well served in regard to voting privileges, and such being the case the onus as to the result rests finally with themselves, 'there is as much urge to-day as at any time to record the individual vote, and in view of that Dominion call, it is lor the people to do their duty on polling day by using their opportunity aright by recording their votes.