Scrutineers for Local Option Poll.

Manawatu Herald, 5 August 1899, Page 2

Scrutineers for Local Option Poll.

Poll. -• : In consequence of some doubt as to the correctness of the count at the last local option poll, the prohibitionists have been urging the appointment of. scrutineers. This seems a reasonable enough request as at any election whether for parliament or a local body, the voters interested are permitted to appoint a scrutineer, thus satisfying the public that the Returning Officer and his deputies do their work fairly and carefully. If such safeguards are admitted necessary when the only difficulty presenting itself is the correct identity of the voter and the right counting of the votes, how much more necessary does it appear to have a check at the local option poll vote when a sort of Chinese puzzle has to be worked out. The voter has three questions put to him : — Whether the present number of licenses is to continue ; Whether the number of such licenses is to be reduced ; and whether any licenses are to be granted. Even this would bs comparatively easy counting and subdividing, but still more complicated than separating candidates names. The Act however stipulates that if there is no direct majority lor an answer to any of the three questions then the Returning Officer shall add the total number of votes given in favour of no licenses being granted, to the number of votes given in favour of the number of licenses being reduced, and if these two, amount together, to an absolute majority of the votes recorded then it shall be reckoned that a reduction in licenses has been carried. It is clear that the Returning Officers have a good deal to do, and we cannot wonder at the need for scrutineers being brought forward. Mr Smith's Bill appears a fair one as he proposes that if any ten electors desire the appointment of a scrutineer an application shall be made to a Returning Officer, J.P. or Solicitor, not less than seven days before the poll. No more than one scrutineer to each ballot box shall be made by electors favouring the same proposal, and in case of dispute the Magistrate is to settle the claims of the rival parties. If within fourteen days after the declaration of the poll any ten electors shall sign a petition, and lodge five pounds, the Magistrate shall hold such inquiry and if the declaration is incorrect the Magistrate may* alter and amend it. On the face of it the Bill seems to provide protection to all parties on what to them is a very important , matter, and we think the Brewers should desire the Bill to become law quite as much as the prohibitionists, though one of their number has introduced it. The lot of a Returning Officer at the coming general election will resemble that stated to be the lot of the Gilbert and Sullivan's policeman, not a happy one.