PURGING THE ROLLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18184, 1 September 1922, Page 8

PURGING THE ROLLS.

STRIKING OFF-" NAMES.

MANY COMPLAINTS MADE.

THE DUTY OF ELECTORS.

fuX . TKLEGttAFH.—SFECUt, RBPORTER.]

WELLINGTON. Thursdwr.

The Electoral Department is making an effort to have clean rolls at the next general election, and apparently in the process numbers of names have been deleted. It, therefore, behoves every roan and woman, qualified to vote, to seo that their names .-ire on the rolls, which can be examined at any post office. The" matter has cropped up in Parliament on several occasions recently and it was again referred to to-day by Mr. 0. J. Haw-ken, who mentioned that in his district a family of 16 had had their names struck oft* the main roll, though tfiey were well known and the name was ou the telephone list. Mr. Massey Said he had had similar complaints made to him, and personally ho was not able to state the reason. Ho had spoken to the head of the department, who was anxious that every care should be taken that there should be a clean roll. There were on the other hand, many complaint* that people who had no right to be on the roS had their names put on it. He had complete confidence in the officers of the department, but at the same time, ho would suggest that it was the duty of all electors to see that their names were on the roll before it firas too late. Even then, however, if thev voted last time and had a right to vote now. the v would be allowed to do so. He himself intended to see to it that his own name was on the roll, for he wanted to go and vote for Sir John Luke in Wellington North. (Laughter.) Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) said the (statement by the Prime Minister that what practically amounted to " roll stuffing " was going on, was a serious one, and he thought inquiry as to this should be made.

Mr. Massey said he had asked the officers to inquire into it as far as was possible.

Dr. Thacker (Christchurch East) suggested that every man who was enrolled should be given a receipt "to that effect. Mr. Massey said he thought that was being done. He would make inquiry on that point.

Mr. Jennings (Waitomo): Yes,, it is done. I have got the card here.