LOCAL POLLS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4047, 3 May 1932, Page 3

LOCAL POLLS.

AMENDING BILL

POSITION OE RATEPAYERS IN ARREARS.

PERMITTED TO VOTE

Amendments to the Local Elections and Polls Act to permit ratepayers who are not more than two years in arrears with their rates to vote were introduced into the House of Representatives last week in the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill, which is sponsored by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. Adam Hamilton.). In moving the second reading _ Mr Hamilton said that a number of local bodies had expressed a desire some time ago that the local body elections should be postponed altogether, but that was not considered advisable. There had also been a number of requests to allow ratepayers who had not been able to pay their rates the privilege of a vote. That, under the circumstances, was considered reasonable and was the object of the Bill. Nominations for county elections had closed at noon on Friday, but the Bill dated back to April 1 and consequently counties would be able to act according to the amendment, if it was passed. The Bill provides that between April 1, 1932, and September 30,1933, Mlicre shall not be entered on any listprepared for the purposes of any election or poll the name of any person in respect of non-payment ol any rates becoming due at any time after March 31, 1930, unless the rates owing by such person at any time during the financial year ending on that date have been remit-bed or compounded. S The Bill was put through the remaining stages and passed.