TIMELY WARNING.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 35, 12 March 1879, Page 2

TIMELY WARNING.

The importance of the coming Session of Parliament makes it advisable that every member of the community who is entitled to exercise the franchise should use due precaution, so that when the time arrives he be not debarred from the privilege. "If coming events cast their shadows before," then certainly the signs of the times presage a more than ordinary eventful political campaign — either a long and acrimonious warfare, or a dissolution and an appeal to the country. It is somewhat strange that, while hard struggles have been fought elsewhere m support of manhood suffrage, so many are to be found who have the privilege within their reach, yet from pure apathy or neglect refuse to avail themselves of the boon. We have little- doubt an improved Electoral Act will be placed upon the Statute Book during the next sitting of Parliament, which, if it does not embrace manhood suffrage, will at all events rid the colony of the present cumbrous and antiquated measure, which enacts that people cannot register during any part of the year except January, February, and March. It will be then seen that those who have not so far secured to themselves the privilege had better do so without further delay. Too many ratepayers trust to the fact that their names are supposed to be inserted upon the general electoral roll for Parliamentary representation by the officials of the various local governing bodies, only to discover to their chagrin and mortification when it is too late that such has not been done. The amount of voting power whioh is being yearly lost to constituencies and candidates is beyond all comprehension, and when, it is recollected that perhaps through the supineuess of ratepayers some incapable, or worse still, 50r0.9 professional politician, is foisted upon a community, such neglect cannot be tod strongly condemned. In proof of our assertion we need not go beyond thiJß very County. According to th<» Cepsus Fetnrn there were 3260 mato residents within its boundaries, while the number of persons qualified to vote at the election of members for the House of Representatives between the last day of August, 1878, and the first day of September, 1879, amounted to but 3546. When, it is borne m mind that every freeholder, leaseholder, or householder is entitled to vote if registration be effected at the proper time, while lodgers who have lived m th<» same house twelve months, and pay not less than £10 a year, or 4s. per week for their lodging, can also claim to bo registered as voters, we think: it must; be allowed that the Electoral Roll of the District of Mauawatu should at least be trebled. Having the necessary qualification, then, all that is further required is that a form of application bo filled m and forwarded to the Registrar of the District. We are aware that the machinery for such a course is not just now m a satisfactory condition, but we understand steps are to be taken to leave ifc m the power of all. entitled to avail themselves of the franchise, and t;g Tould urge upon eqch one to da so.