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Manawatu Herald, Volume I, Issue 57, 14 March 1879, Page 2

In reference to the question of the registration r oi those persons qualified to use the franchise, it cannot be denied that there are a great number of ratepayers in this district who havejneglected to avail them* selves of the privilege. And thore is something more to be regretted than this. It is that there are a certain number of people who abso* lutely do not care whether their names appear on the roll or not, and who would not go to the trouble even of applying for a registration form ; so that the electoral roll does not represent by a large degree the number of electors 'in . the district. This apathy is much to be deplored. If the great body of the people be^ come careless and indifferent as to whether or not they use the voting power, then matters political are prone to become disorganised. In regard to effecting the registration of these ratepayers a good suggestion has been made. It is that a committee should be appointed by the ratepayers who take an interest in the matter, to see who are, and who are not, registered, and do all in their power by visiting the unregistered, and urging upon them the desirability of sending in the necessary application to become electors. It is done in other parts of the colonies with the effect of giving a district its full voting power ; and now that important questions are arising in regard to Government, Education, and other matters, it is of the most vital importance that every ratepayer qualified should have a vote. Another reason for having a full electoral vote is the importance which it gives a town or district, an<J the advantages which would thus arise would well repay any trouble or expense that might be incurred. Wo sincerely hope the above suggestion will be acted upon, as we are convinced that it would be productive of much good to the county.