COUNTY ELECTIONS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 181, 24 March 1932, Page 5

COUNTY ELECTIONS

("Post" Special Commissioner.)

VOTE QUALIFICATIONS CONCESSION TO RATEPAYERS WHOSE RATES ARE IN ARREAR LEGISLATION PROMISED

WELLINGTON, Wednesday. The Government has decided to introduce legislation during the prepent session temporarily to suspending Section 57 of the Counties Actj 1920 which debars eounty ratepayers who are in arrear with their . rates from voting at county elections. County elections throughout the Dominion will be held on May 11 next and many county ratepayers who have been unable to pay their rates this year have been somewhat exercised as to what their position will he in view of Section 57 of the Counties Act 1920, which provides that failure to pay rates after a period of six months shall be a disqualification for voting purposes. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. A. Hamilton, stated to-night that it is the intention of the Government to bring down legislation during the present emergency session easing the position to some extent. The Minister said that he liad feceived quite a lot qf representations on this subject and opinion on it seemed to be somwhat divided. The Government desired to weigh the balance as evenly as possible between county councils, who naturally desired the rates paid, and the county ratepayer who wished to pay his rates but at present had not the ready money to do so. For that reason, Cahinet after due consideration, had decided to give legislative effect to a request of the executive committee of the Counties Assoemtion that disqualification. shall not apply to any ratepayer who is not more than two years' rates in arrear. The Minister added that the concession would be temporary only, and would apply to eleetric power district ratepayers and others affected by the disqualification provisions.