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Southland Times, Issue 1114, 26 February 1869, Page 2

In reminding persons qualified to vote, in the election of members of Council, of the approach of the annual registration period, the recognised privilege of Englishmen to grumble on all reasonable as well as on many unreasonable occasions, may act as an inducement. Whatever may be the practice of individuals as to registration, there is no apparent want of interest among them in the proceedings o£ *ho Legislature Neither is there any lack of disposition to criticise the acts and sayings of the senatorial body. During each session of the Provincial Council, or (General Assembly-, measures and men are very freely, and generally properly, canvassed. In the case of every Ordinance or Bill passed, discoveries are made of its inefficiency and unsuitable character to accomplish its proposed ends. In short there is always much grumbling, of which, probably, the larger part proceeds from persons unregistered, and who have consequently had no share in making the laws. With the very liberal electoral qualification in existence, no person who wished to have a voice in the election of legislators need be long without it. Yet it is certain that a large number of persons qualified to vote are not upon' the electoral roll, the explanation being in most cases, either indolence or negligence. These persons clearly have no right to grumble ; whether the law making is to their mind or no, it is their own fault that they have no hand in it. To neglect to register, being in possession of the required qualification, is an injustice to the rest of the community, because questions will continually arise in reference to which it is the duty of every one to pronounce an opinion. LTo allow by our neglect, the legislation of a community to pass virtually into the 'hands or power of a few individuals, argues not only apathy as to ourselves indivdually, but an indifference to the ' true, welfare of the state: We trust that during the coming month all qualified persons in the Province, not on the Electoral Roll, will take steps to secure the insertion of their names. Failing this, the result will be the vexation of finding themselves, on the occasion of an election, without a voice.