LATCH-KEY VOTERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14972, 19 April 1909, Page 5

LATCH-KEY VOTERS.

THE MAGISTRATE'S RULING. Mr Alexander Henry Anderson, secretary of the Saturday Half-holiday Association, appeared before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court on Saturday to obiect to the district municipal electors' list of Christchurch, on the ground that he was entitled to have his name placed on the list as a duly' qualified elector by reason of the fact that he had been since March 20, 1908, the tenant of on© room in a building in Courtney Street, St AJbans, at an annual rental of £ls 12s, and was, therefore, possessed of the qualification, required under the Municipal Corporation Act, 1908. Mr Alpers appeared for the objector and Mr Fisher .attended as solicitor for the Christchurch City Council. # Mr Alpers said the objection was brought before the Court to test what was called the _ "latch-key" voter's qualification. His client was already on the municipal electors' roll with a property-holder's qualification, but the City Council had declined to recognise Anderson's right to qualify as a voter by virtue of his residential qualification. It was admitted that a person could not be on the roll as a holder under two qualifications, but Mr Alpers contended it was competent for the Court to direct that a voter could be placed on the electors' list in respect of either qualification. Alexander Henry Anderson was call,ed and stated that he lived in a house owned by his mother and that he made definite arrangements with her to have the exclusive tenancy of one room in the house at a weekly rental of 6s, in order to qualify as a residential voter. He had the exclusive use the room, and all the furniture in it, with the exception of a bed, was his personal property. " The Magistrate said he considered that in a matter of this nature everything must turn on the genuineness of the contract, and the witness had made specific statements against which no rebutting evidence was forthcoming. Mr Fisher said that the Council was not represented with a view to contesting any claims, as it really had nothing to do with them. Wherever the Council considered the qualifications put in justified it, the names were put on the roll. / The Magistrate: Had it not been for the fact that a great deal of public interest has been worked up on the half-holiday question this matter would not probably have come before the Court. Mr Fisher: The Council was not influenced by that in any way. To he a tenant an applicant must have exclusive use of the part of the house he occupies. The Magistrate: The evidence points to that. Mr Fisher: Anderson is already on the roll under another qualification, and we do not think this Court has any power to put him on the roll under any other qualification. Mr Alpers: That is quite true; but I contend that a voter has a right to be on, the roll on either qualification he pleases. _ My client certainly is on the roll on his property qualification, which, of course, is the better qualification; but as a mattor of principle he wishes to be enrolled as a voter under hisiresidential qualification. The Magistrate: This matter has re? ceived a great deal of publio attention recently, and, anticipating that it would come before me in some form, I have looked carefully into the matter, and have formed very definite opinions on the subject. My views are, no doubt, more liberal than most in interpreting the clauses as to qualifications, and I would certainly not strain the wording of the Act to oppose applications. So far as this application is concerned, it all rests on the facts brought before me. The witness has made certain statements, and they are uncontradicted. I am quite satisfied, and shall allow the appeal and order the town clerk to alter the existing roll by inserting the name of Alexander Henry Anderson in respect of his residential qualification.