THE BALLOT.

Southland Times, Issue 1120, 8 March 1869, Page 2

THE BALLOT.

(TO THE BDITOB, 07 THE SOTTTHXAND TIXBS.) Sib — The work of the Reform Associations, now established in Christchurch, Nelson and other Northern Provinces, is progressing well. It^is gratifying to find the leading men of the colony giving their time and ability in the cause of Constitutional Reform, irrespective of class or party. While ventilating the question of retrenchment, and the union or disunion of the colony, they hare not neglected other matters of great political significance, among the most important of which may be considered that of a re-adjustment of the Electoral Districts. These are important subjects, and demand serious attention. The New Zea. land Representation Act is, upon the whole, in advance of some European countries, but still fearfully crude and cumbersome in working. I take exception to the Act, and urge a demand for its re-construction upon several grounds. Granted that the franchise of the colony may be termed liberal, it must be con* ceded that there is much room for reform. One transparent defect is that no pro* vision is made for the colonist who, while possessing position, wealth and intelligence, has not invested in landed property, and does not pay rent for the house he dwells in — young men occupy, ing responsible positions in mercantile or professional offices, and who pay perhaps from One to two hundred pounds a year for their lodgings — all this class who, in reality, are the most independent men that can be enlisted in the work of wisely selecting representatives to aid in direct* ing the legislation of their adopted country, are excluded from taking any part in the selection of their law givers. Again, I hold that the principle of the Ballot is sound- The opponents of this system, which has been thoroughly tested in America and most of the Australian Colonies with the greatest possible success, argue that secret voting is cowardly and un-English, and therefore should be condemned. The shallowness of this argument has been so frequently exposed that very little is required in the present day to convince even the " tory-born descendant of an ancient house," of its utter worthlessness. It is true that if the people were educated up to the standard of doing right, regardless of consequences, there would be little necessity tor the adoption of the ballot, but as society is at present constituted, it is essential to the protection of the honest but indigent | elector, and should be secured; it destroys | electioneering bickerings and unseemly I riots, prevents bribery, and enables everyi one to exercise his own opinion in the I choice of a representative, uncontrolled or influenced by, the outer surroundings which, under the present electoral;, eysteni, compel many to violate; tuaa£ conscience, outrage taeir judgment, ana deaden their feajiajr of aelf-respect at the- »Kime of * fiuniliar acquaintance or , trafy ob%atjoat . lie system of £agi»> *&mi* <wgglii»Jfr frttfty and nqjitt,

and any scheme of representative reform that may be brought forward will be unsatisfactory unless this, a? well as the other items, are included in the programme. Mr Stafford is a member of the Nelson Reform Association, as are also many ol the leading politicians of the Middle Island. The strong opinions that have been expressed in favor of tho ballot ou former occasions by^the Premier, are a sufficient guarantee that he will favor a reform of the Electoral Act in this direction, but we maintain that any alteration from the present system will not be of any considerable value to the public unless the other alterations I have indicated are included. The rapid changes that have taken place throughout the colony during the last three or four years renders a re-casting of the electoral districts most; desirable. In almost every province some districts have multiplied their population, while others have remained stationary, and consequently the representation is not = one based on population. The franchise itself is a mongrel production, which has been botched and patched until it is scarcely possible to understand its operation. We have a freehold and leasehold, and a miner's right franchise, still there remains a large portion of the population which ift-4iot trauchised. I hailed with satisf^aj&Xtbe enfranchisement of the minenH«r the beginning of an electoral reform that would secure to every class a voice in the selection of their law-givers, but as yet no such reform has been made. What has been conceeded to the miners should also be granted to the pastoral occupants ol Crown Lands, and to that large cla^s of colonists — clerks, traders, Ac, who not happening to be miners or householders, have no recognised political existence. Manhood suffrage is sound in principle, and wherever it has been adopted, under a wise system of checks to prevent the abuse of liberty it affords, has worked well, and should be made the basis of the reforms contemplated. The simplifying of the Registration of Electers is one of the pressiDg reforms. The present sysetm is vicious to a degree. It is absurd to fix only three months in the year for the receipt of non-electors applications, and then make those who have taken the trouble to comply with the clumsy requirements of the Vet remain for nearly a year before i hey are 'allowed to : exercise the franchise, It would entail but little trouble and no extra expense, if the period allowed for registration was made the last month in each quarter, instead of three consecutive months at the commencement of the year. This question of Representative Reform is ' one of great moment. It will exercise a powerful influence in deciding the question of Union or Provincialism, and all other matters of importance. This Province is interestediu this question. The Electoral District requires re-adjust-ing, and a change in representatives made. Before dismissing the subject it would not be inopportune to call especial attention to the fact that the ensuing three weeks will be the only opportunity of registering during the year — that all qualified to vote for members of the General Assembly and the Provincial Council, if not enrolled before the 31st March, will be disfranchised for another year. — I am, &c, Obsebveb. Invercargill, March 5, 1869. 0