THE ELECTORAL ROLLS.

Otaki Mail, 29 September 1922, Page 4

THE ELECTORAL ROLLS.

There seem to be many omissions kt the new electoral rolls, which can only be properly rectified by the electors themselves, or rather by those who are entitled to the franchise, making: a point of seeing that their claims are registered. The rolls are now available and should be open to inspection nt every post office, so that all who are entitled by age, residence and nationality to registration, can easily ascertain whether their names are included, and if not they should take the'earliest opportunity of applying for registration. In less than three months the elections will be upon us, and if, when polling day comes round, people find themselves denied the right to vote simply because their names do not appear on the official roll, they will only lyive themselves to blame. There seems to be a possibility that the rolls will

close earlier than usual this year, ns a mewnient is on font to get the elections well over before Christmas. The last week in November or the first week in December is suggested as the latest period in which the elections should take place, and as the rolls must close 28 days before the elections take place, only a few weeks remain in which registration can bo made. Men and women who are British subjects and who have attained the age of til years, provided they have been resident in the Dominion for twelve months and for one month in the electorate for which registration is sought, an? entitled to the franchise, persons of unsound mind or those convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment for one year or upwards within any part of His Majesty’s dominions, or convicted in New Zealand as public defaulters being alone excepted. Aliens are not entitled to vole unless naturalised for at least twelve mouths prior to the elections. In the purging the rolls have received thousands of names have been struck oil', included in the number being ninny doubtless who have transferred their residence from one electorate to .another and who have failed to notify the Registrar of the district in which they were hist enrolled. It is possible of course that their names are included in the rolls for the districts to which they have transferred, but it very very necessary that such people should satisfy- themselves that their names are so included. It js possible also that in merely moving from one portion of an electorate to another the names of voters many also have been omitted. The time for making sure of the vote is now, and we would impress upon every rcader possessed ot the necessary qualification to make sure that he or she is properly- enrolled without delay.