THE ROLLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17685, 24 July 1919, Page 5

THE ROLLS

PREPARING FOR ELECTIONS

POSTAL OFFICERS) TO ASSIST.

In reply to inquiries regarding the preparation of the electoral lists lor the general election, the Hon. W. H. Hemes, Actrng Minister in Charge of the Electoral D ® pa.ranent, informed a Wellington Post reporter that the printing of the main roll nas now been commcnced in a number of centres, and the roll there should be available for public information by the- first week in August. In the balance of the electorates it is anticipated that by the end of this ween tha tolls will be in the handa of the printers, so that, unless any unfortf, 6 ? , arises, it is expected that the whole of tho rolls for the dominion will bo available for publio use by August

i- ?" f . electom l bureaux which were established in the lour centres during tho recent licensing poll were found .to be so valuable that the Minister has dec.ded that these shall again be opened for the convenience of electors as from tho Ist proximo until tho general election is over. The Secretary of the General Post Office has agreed to assist tho Electoral Department in every way in .regard to the enrolment ot electors for the coming general election, in the four centres it is prooosed that a number o£ experienced postmen shall be relieved from their postal duties and attached to the Electoral Department for the purposo of collecting claims for enrolment Ihese officers will work each electorate similarly to the method followed in the delivery of letters. Ihey will be supplied with a copy of the main roll, and when it is found that people are not on the roll their duty will be to get these enrolled and where necessary leave claims for enrolment, arranging to return at an hour when the elector will be available. In somo of tho larger towns the postmen will also be relieved oE their ordinary duties, and will be wholly engaged on the work of tlie enrolment of electors. In the smaller towns the postmen will enrol electors when making their ordinary rounds, while in small districts where there are not jiostmen tho postmasters will be responsible for this work. In this way the enrolment of eleotors in all parts of the dominion will be ensured.

Arrangements have also been made by tho Secretary of the General Post Office for a specially qualified officer of his staff to visit all cant-res to ad vise postmasters in regard to the details of the work, so that there may not be any hitoh at any time. Mr Herries adds that ho is satisfied from the interest that is being displayed in the work by Mr Morris and his officers,- in co-operation with the Electoral Department, that very satisfactory results will be obtained