DISFRANCHISEMENT OF VOTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 110, 24 March 1862, Page 6

DISFRANCHISEMENT OF VOTERS.

It is ii startling fact, that iit, this moment there is not a hona fide voter in Victoria. The Ben-di-m Advertiser says t — "The result of this [the suspension of the annual collection of names of voters, prescribed by lay] is, that there are at tlie present moment no. electoral rolls whatever ; that the colony is for the time being utterly and absolutely disfranchised and deprived of all political rights ; that the election now going on at North Grenvillc is nn illegal farce; that imfil what is caifed the. ISlec'lbral Act siisponsion'Bill beqomes law, there will not be a voter throughout tlio country- that by a dissolution of the1 present' Parliament,' we should suddenly find ourselves under a system of absolute government, the election of a new legislature being actually impossible without going back and hammeriig out by means of a convention a new electoral system, to give effect to the Constitution." This has virtually repealed the Electoral Act itself. The Government stands charged with a very serious violation of the Constitution, and the Assembly with gross blundering. What were the law'officers of the Crown about to sanction such a step, and what is the Government driving at? Is it a blow aimed at Universal Suffrage? Will the people make enquiry?— Inqlcwood. Advertiser.