PURGING THE POLLS.

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1911, Page 8

PURGING THE POLLS.

TOO MANY NAMES STRUCK OFF

AMENDING LEGISLATION

PROPOSED

(Our Parliamentary 'Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, Sept 20 Tiicj new method of purging the electoral noils has apparently . faik-d to lac/h'ievo the purpose. /.far :which was devised. The confusion.. whbh has arisen is ascribed principally to tho .failure of paipons to return ■ the notices of appeal against the objections made 'by the regustrars to the mention of thewr 'names.

Mr W. F. Massey asked tho Prime Minister ■ this affrcrivoo-n whether instructions had been given to cease purging the rolls. ''

The Prime M'inisteir said that about thirty five thousand people had fail-' cd to return the notices .replying to registrars' inquiries as to their eligibility. Applications foi' enrolment could not be granted unless they were made a .month before the ' election, and in wi'ew of this fact ho had given instructions that in tho'meantime the purging of th.? rolls should be discontinued. There was no intention of retaining the names of persons who were not entitled to vote

Mr Mflsscy said that the statement of the Prime. Minister disclosed a serious state of affairs. It should be made clear that the people must -not rely on the departmental officers for their enrolment. A serious, mistake had bee.n madq in abandoning the old system of the automatic puriginig of the rolls.

The Prime Minister said that the difficulty was that some jprsons-.had not received tho notices, and their names had been struck off. The rjolls were being over purged, 'but they would be right in time- for the election , If this result was not possible he would ask the House to pass an amendment clause and dnscr|h that every person over 21 ye:ars of ago qualified by residence should have a vote. He would p.rcpos-8 the engagement of enough officers to enrioll them all.

Mr W. C. Buchanan (AVairarapa) characterised the position as 11 general bungle, but

Th-a Pnim.B Minister denied that the term was applicable. He added that arrangements had been made for printing 1 the rolls in the different districts, and th-a main rolls would bo completed within the time intended. A satisfactory arrangement fixing the. maximum price- for tho printing of rolls had been madte with the Mastea P-rvnters Association. ' :

Sir Joseph Ward admitted that the electoral census had caused confusion. •