ELECTION QUERIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 22 September 1925, Page 15

ELECTION QUERIES.

CANVASSING OF THE SICK. OPPOSED BY DOCTORS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Monday. Replying to a question by Mr. T. K. Sidey in the House of Representatives to-night, the Prime Minister stated that medical practitioners generally raised j rigid objections to hospitals being I invaded, or patients in private homes; being interfered -with, and were against j patients being asked to vote unless tliey! were personally able to go to the poll. I In certain cases it would do no harm for patients to be visited, and their votes recorded in hospital or the like, | but as a general thing doctors were j against worry of patients regarding \ elections. Therefore, the Government i would not introduce legislation to make it possible for returning officers to visit hospitals and secure votes. Alleged Roll Stuffing. '"Is the Prime Minister aware that the electoral rolls are being stuffed?" asked Mr. Edie (Clutha), in the House to-night. Tlie question followed an explanation by Mr. Coates that accredited representatives of any organisation interested in the elections will be permitted to enrol electors, and that no prosecution will follow the failure to enrol at the time the law regarding compulsory enrolment was passed, so long as there was no wilful neglect. Mr. Edie asked if it was wise to allow anyone to witness enrolments in view of roll stuffing, which he knew was going on? The Prime Miuister assured the questioner that only persons accredited hy electoral officers would be permitted to make enrolments, and these wot:ld be rigidly scrutinised by the Electoral Department. Replying to a suggestion that; any elector could witness enrolments, Mr. Coates pointed out that he had been referring to signatures. The system, instead of being haphazard, would in future be subject to rigid review.