The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5811, 13 November 1879, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1879.

The Qualification of Electors Bill, as amended in committee, is very different in form from what it was when first introduced. Tho Bill is to bo recommitted to-morrow, and it mar’, and very likely will, bo considerably amended before it is finally passed. The most important amendment hitherto introduced is the one which confers upon the Maoris the right to exercise a vote at European elections, provided that their names are enrolled upon a ratepayers’ roll for the district. Tho wording of the clause is somewhat obscure; but for the provision in the final clause it might bo held to interfere with tho Maori special representation. In point of fact, this amendment revives tho original proposal contained in the Electoral Bill of IS7S, which was on second thoughts cut out by the Gkey Government, reintroduced by tho Legislative Council, and finally resisted to the death by tho late Ministry. The only important difference in the form of the clause is, if we remember aright, that under that Bill it was necessary that a ratepayer should have first paid his rates before being allowed to claim a right to vote as a ratepayer. Id would certainly be well to insist upon this condition in the present Bill; otherwise Maori ratepayers will probably become numerous at election times, although the funds of the local body will probably be but little benefited by this addition to the roll of ratepayers in name only and not in fact. The provision by which every person is enfranchised who has attained the age of twenty-one years and upwards, and who

has hold a freehold estate of the value of £25 for six: months, is equivalent to the introduction of the female franchise in a modified form. Its logical sequel was tlie amendment introduced by Colonel Trimble, which proposed to extend the franchise to all female ratepayers. Practically almost all freeholders would be also ratepayers, but in many cases female tenants who are ratepayers but not fieehoklers, would not secure tho questionable privilege of a vote at election times, unless Colonel Trimble’s amendment were again introduced and carried. In our own, and also in our contemporaries’ report, Colonel Trimble’s amendment was said to have been carried on the voices, but this was not the case. In its present form the Qualification of Electors Bill grants to those Maoris, who have so far conformed to our ways and customs as to become enrolled as ratepajmrs, the electoral privileges of voting at elections for European members, without thereby sacrificing their special representation, Women who have undertaken the care and management of rateable property are to be allowed a voice in the election of those whose duty it is to make the laws and impose the taxes which affect such property and the owners of it. Any resident settler who is not a criminal or an alien, and who has lived a year in New Zealand, and for six months in one part of the colony, will also be registered as an elector without being obliged to go to much trouble about having his name placed on the electoral roll. The chief objection which we have to make to the Bill in its present form is the re-introduction of tho ratepayers’ roll. Experience has shown that the clerks of the local bodies have in many instances failed to furnish a list of ratepayers to the registration officers, and that in no cose is the ratepayers’ roll in its simple state a satisfactory list for election purposes. There may be any number of electors of the same name on tho ratepayers’ list as at present compiled, and the Act does not afford any means of identifying the individuals. Under the Registration of Electors Bill, however, the duty of enrolling the electors devolves upon the Registration. Officer, and possibly this provision may remove the objection. If Colonel Trimble’s amendment is finally adopted, to the effect that the franchise shall be given to every woman of twentyone years of age and upwards, whose name is on a ratepayers’ roll, there can be surely no objection made to the word cc person ,9 being inserted instead of the word “woman,” so that all ratepayers of whatever sex shall bo treated alike. No one can deny that the Bill in its presentform is a very liberal measure. The partial introduction of the female franchise is the most questionable innovation, but it is exceedingly doubtful whether it is a privilege that will be much exercised.