LOCAL ELECTIONS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28130, 20 November 1956, Page 3

LOCAL ELECTIONS

Sir.—The burning question of the day seems to be: why did so many fail to vote? To one who sees through the political game the more logical question is: why did so many bother to record their votes? During my younger and more immature stage of life I used to become enthusiastic during election periods. This was during a period of political development, \Ajhen the Labour Party steadfastly opposed the encroachment by the representatives of the capitalist classes on the rights of the members of the working class, when the Labour Party was working towards an ideal. Now, even a professor from the United States, who visited this country to study the political situation, put it on record before returning home that there is no difference between the main political parties. I may say that anyone thinking the Citizens’ Association and the National Party different is deluded.—Yours, etc., November 19, 1956.

Sir.—There may be much criticism of those who neglect to vote. If numbers count, why, over the years, have no explanations been offered (from statistics) as to the cause or reason of so many informal votes as a guide to those likely to make such blunders? Having heard it said that there are difficulties for elderly persons in counting, or from poor sight, why are relatives or friends not advised to accompany lhem instead of the necessity to rely at the last moment upon strangers for assistance? —Yours, etc., SOME QUESTIONS. November 19, 1956.