Group seeking bigger poll

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33065, 4 November 1972, Page 19

Group seeking bigger poll

A 90 to 95 per cent turn-out of voters on election day is the aim of a new organisation, the Political Renewal Group, which has been formed in Christchurch.

The group’s secretary (Mr N. A. Griffith) said the organisation was not connected with any political party, but believed in the goal of breaking through the 90 per cent poll “barrier,” and that publicity on polling day itself iwould help to achieve this.! In the last five elections, there had been a poll of more than 90 per cent only twice. ■ln 1969, there were 41 electorates in which 2000 or ! more people on the roll did not vote, Mr Griffith said. The group had approached all Cabinet members and Labour spokesmen with its I proposal that the N.Z.B.C. give limited coverage on election day, with the aim of increasing voter interest and the poll. House sold A three-bedroom weatherboard house on a section of !28 perches at 5 Burdale Street, Riccarton, was sold for $BOOO at auction this week. The Government valuation is $5300. The auctioneer was Mr M. J. C. Robinson of Matthew Robinson, Ltd.

The Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) had passed the suggestion on for comment, but the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) had replied: "I do not think your proposals J would accomplish as much as you hope. An election day; (organisation aimed at get-! [ting people to vote would be t likely to be more effective.”! Apparently, Mr Griffith said in a statement, Mr Kirk had little confidence in the : long-established power of publicity. “This is very strange, considering the amount of '! money his party will spend to persuade people,” Mr Griffith : said. [[ He also said that the Electoral Act permitted newspapers to print public official ! .notices on polling day. The group proposed that all newspapers should solicit official . notices, of half-page size or' 1 more, from the Justice De-1 ■ 'partment, with the specific' i purpose of boosting voter' ; turn-out. The chairman of the Politi•|cal Renewal Group is Mr M. ID. Cooke, and the treasurer 'is Mr J. H. F. Macfarlane. I