COUNTY VOTES SWAMPED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 643, 20 April 1929, Page 6

COUNTY VOTES SWAMPED

FRANCHISE INEQUALITY WAITEMATA MAKES PROTEST A deputation from the Waitemata County Council yesterday waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, to bring to his notice the anomalous position which arises owing to the difference jn the franchise In districts combined in one electoral area. Mr. A. Harris, M.P., said that In electoral areas which included counties, boroughs and town districts, counties had ratepayers’ franchise only. The Waitemata County found that in electing representatives to the Hospital, Harbour and Power Boards, it was “swamped” by the other areas. Mr. Harris suggested that the difficulty could be overcome, either by compiling a universal roll, or by grouping in a combined area only districts with the same franchise. The Minister said he realised that there should be uniformity. He would be pleased to investigate the position. NO. 2 LICENSING AUTHORITY A further question, that of the constitution of the No. 2 motor-omnibus licensing authority, was brought up by Mr. Harris. The Devonport Borough Council at present acted as the authority, Mr. Harris said, but It would be fairer, he thought, to have a committee of seven, comprising two representatives each from Devonport and Takapuna, and one each from Birkenhead, Northcote and the portion of the county within the bus area. The Minister promised to bring the position to the notice of the Minister of Public Works.