The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1884.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4711, 12 February 1884, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1884.

The importance of electoral registration is a subject which has been frequently dilated upon, but, nevertheless, its consequence seems to be but poorly appreciated. We have been granted almost universal suffrage, and yet a perusal of the rolls of the colony would shew that the people, after loudly clamouring for the rights of freemen, Britons, and all sorts of highly privileged mortals, are not very much inclined to take advanU age of that which is accorded to them as the result of their vociferation. ■ The importance of placing their names on an Electoral Roll' does not seem to present itself to those for whose benefit the Act at present in force was framed. Until the suffrage was extended to its present almost illimitable area, a hue and cry was raised by agitators, having a basis in the assertion that property ruled the land, and that the vox populi was unheeded ; yet we find that when the people • are granted the privileges they have been so long craving for,they faiFto take advan-' tage of them to that extent ,which was certainly anticipated by those who secured j for them that which they appeared to long so ardently for. We would urge upon all, j to enrol themselves under the very liberal provisions made by the Electoral Act; The time is not far distant when the people will be called upon to exercise their privileges as electors, and not an opportunity should beueglsoted by them in having their names placed upon the list of those qualified' to interfere in the selection of a representative of the Thames in the Councils of tho j country. From the signs of the times, it ! is more than tolerably certain that a very keen contest will take place for the honor of beirg the Thames delegate in the coming Parliament, and we are informed that steps are being taken, even thus early, to seo that the friends of at least one coming candidate -are placed in a position so as to help to make the result of the next election satisfactory to those persons. We, ia the general interest,

would urge^that everyone possessing the necessary qualifications.be placed in a position which will enable him to exercise those functions which the present electoral law has enabled hiin—if willing—to use. A system of roll stuffing, although fre» quently indulged in, is much to be deprecated, and to uuliify" such actions ib behoves the fpeople to obtain that which is placed within their reach, with, we may presume, a wholesome purpose. In order to counteract any attempt at illegitimately using the very indulgent clauses of the Electoral Act, it is absolutely necessary that every one entitled to a vote should avail themselves of the opportunity given them, and have their names placed upon the Electoral roll of the dis_tric?\