ROLL STUFFING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 28 November 1908, Page 2

ROLL STUFFING.

In our issue of the 21st inst., we stated it was rumoured that rollstuffing had taken place in the Manawatu roll, and a number of electors who reside in the Otaki electorate recorded their votes in the Manawatu electorate. The names of a number of electors were ou both the Manawatu and Otaki rolls. Further, several electors who, for unexplained reasons, and who could not plead ignorance, voted iu Manawatu when they should have recorded their votes iu the other electorate. We are also informed that fully 30 flaxmill employees who work in the Otaki electorate, but come into Foxton about once a fortnight, were enrolled as bona fide electors of Manawatu, and recorded their votes in this electorate. This is a point which we ask shall be closely investigated before another election takes place. We hold the name of one canvasser who witnessed signatures for enrollment in this electorate of people who had been residing for a considerable time in Moutoa. Either the canvasser was ignorant of the boundaries, or the electors were under the impression that they were being enrolled in the Otaki electorate. Fortunately, their votes did not affect either the electoral or licensing results, otherwise there would have been trouble. Even now, it only remains for the Registrar to be provided with the names, and evidence touching false declarations, and he is prepared to take the necessary proceedings against offenders. No doubt the alterations in the boundaries would mitigate the offence to a certain degree, but we are of opinion that rollstuffing should be stamped out