THE DUTY OF VOTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 November 1925, Page 6

THE DUTY OF VOTING.

There are differences of political opinion in every community; always have been and always will be. But there can be no difference, of opinion on the general question of the right and privilege of the franchise. Often the average man appears to have little, enough to do with politics.' in reality he is the great hidden force of government. He does not make laws, or levy taxes or build railway®—not directly; but he places in power those who do make laws and levy taxes and govern the country. The Government is formed of the dominant party in Parliament; Parliament consists of the representatives of the people; but the giant power behind it all is THE PEOPLE. And to-mor-row the people will speak. Voting in this country is not compulsory. It is not desirable that it should be. To vote .is a duty, but also a privilege; and it, is a duty which every man owes to himself, which every woman owes to herself and her family. Conscience, not the law, should 1 be the compelling force of the stream which rolls to the polling booths. Both politically and as regards the great social question of the drink traffic, New Zealand may be standing to-night at the parting of the. wavs. It is for every elector to see that his vote is recorded to-mor-row in accordance with his honest and unselfish opinion of what, constitutes liis country’s good. The twin, point we would make is— VOTE: AND VOTE EARLY.