The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1881.

Kumara Times, Issue 1577, 17 October 1881, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1881.

We again remind the residents of this district that the general election for the Assembly cannot be far off, and that those who have not as yet put their names on the Electoral Roll should bestir themselves so as to obtain a vote. There appears to be a great deal of apathy in connection with this matter, and it may be noted as a singular fact that those who have not taken the trouble to sign their names or affix their marks to the application forms are commonly the most demonstrative when the election takes place. In fact it is no unusual thing for some of the voluntarily disfranchised ones to bully candidates for not having been placed on the Roll. Unreasonable as this may appear to be, it is nevertheless true. We are informed that some time since the Registrars throughout the colony received imperative instructions to have their Rolls completed by the 24th of the present month, and that the work should be proceeded with rapidly. It may he added, however, that Supplementary Rolls will be prepared, and this should also be mentioned as a matter of considerable importance, that under the existing law no Registrar can add a name to the Roll until the application paper has been in his possession fifteen days. The election writs may be issued at any moment, and then good-bye to any further opportunity of

going on the Roll, at all events so far as concerns the ensuing election. The Government have supplies granted until June m-xt, and as most, if not all the members of the Ministry are “old political stagers,” with the purse-strings under their command, the chances are, apparently, that the “battle royal” will be put off as long as possible. Certain constituencies have to be conciliated, and the votes for “ contingencies ” have to bejudiciouslyexpended. We all know that Canterbury and Otago can do what they like with the rest of the colony under the Representation Act, but what if in either of those two Provincial Districts there are to be found a few honest constituencies which, in common fairness, will demand equal justice for the whole of the colony? As a rule, however, it was be taken for granted that the specially-favored districts will be careful to r’eturn men who will be pledged to perpetuate the injustice which has been perpetrated. Although Canterbury and Otago have the game in their hands just now, that is no reason why a continued struggle should not be kept up with the object of regaining lost prestige. It becomes, therefore, all the more necessary for every one, under the coercion of the Representation Act, to assure himself that he will have a vote when the election takes place. For a great many months this district was at a disadvantage, owing to the neglect of some one or other in failing to forward to Kumara the necessary forms of application for being placed on the Roll. This difficulty has at length been* overcome, and the forms can now be had for the asking, either at the Court House, or from several of the electors of the town. There is no reason therefore why every resident in the district should not have a vote. We conclude with a repetition of the advice previously given—.to register without delay.