THE LOCAL OPTION POLL.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1027, 30 March 1894, Page 6

THE LOCAL OPTION POLL.

«, ' We have been asked to pubHsh the following communication which appeared in the Evening Star of Tuesday last : — TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — In your article of the 22nd inst., 'The Ides of March,' you very properly and pertinently question the (Dunedin) returning officer's ruling in regard to what constitutes an informal vote upon the local option issues regarding licenses. As one who took an active part during the whole of the forced passage of this measure through Parliament, permit me to state that I have a distinct rftcollection that while this particular clause was being discussed in committee the Premier, in reply to challenges regarding the several issues involved, distinctly informed the House that each issue stood by itself, and an informality upon one issue would not invalidate the rest, and he undertook to make the matter clear, which accounts for the distinct explanation to this effect, appended to the third schedule. That a vote should be declared invalid upon a count that has no existence, in the electorate, and which, no matter how the verdict of the electors was cast, could have no possible effect, yet should have the power to annul true votes upon real issues, is, in the light of common sense, a most improper and mischievous ruling upon the. part of the returning officer. It is also freely stated that the extraordinary number of informal votes at South Dunedin polling booth is because of there having been two informal (1) votes upon one ballot-paper they have been counted as two. A rigid inquiry and clear explanation is required at the hands of the returning officer. — I am, «fee, William Earxsiiaw. Dunedin, March 24.