COUNTY ELECTIONS

Northern Advocate, 16 April 1932, Page 2

COUNTY ELECTIONS

POSSIBLY UNNT3CT3SS A BY. PEOPLE APPARENTLY SATISFIED ; WINS BY DEFAULT INDICATED. The suggestion that an election might not be necessary this year, thus effecting a saving of £2OO, was made by the clerk, Air H. C. Hemphill, at the meeting of the Whangani County Council yesterday. Air Hemphill said there did not seem to be any radical opposition to the present council's policy. During the year the Fanners’ Union had pressed for the advocacy of total delating, and the council had agreed to this policy. Criticism of the way the business was being done seemed to be nil, and if the people Avere satisfied, then £2OO, which was 'the cost of an election, Avould be saved. Because .of the prospects, he Avas not getting the rolls printed until after nominations closed. The clerk added that elections for the Harbour, Hospital and PoavoV Boards Avould be held at the same date as that announced for riding members, and if too many .nominations were received in any instance, polling Avould have to proceed throughout the county. Cr. .1. A. S. LMacKay said ho did not like the idea of abandoning an election. If the ratepayers themseh’es asked for it, it Avould lie all right, but for councillors to giw themscla’cs a further three years’ lease of office did not appeal to him at all. it was preferable for latepayers to exercise their rights w.rhont pressure from any other interest being brought to bear. Cr. T. V. Blake thought the clerk- h Idea in bringing the question forward had been to apprise the public that an election might not be required, and lint consequently preparatory 'work had net been advanced in the

i.U :i'i(inie. 'l'li- <■ 1-:* ■ 11 .'a;d that it was i:s----n-• 1 1 jn.sl before <■!(•<'iinn 1 ij;i t„ re ■ rive :i large number of i |n:t ii*s at (lie "('aunty x t'«r.e c-oneern 1a ; who 1: liic council was doing. So far none had been forthcoming, and this led the clerk to oeieve that no 'opposition might arise. There was no attempt to deprive ratepayers of their lights, and at the elections in May every eve would be entitled to a vote. Special legislation had been passed whereby a man who was two years behind in his rates would not he regarded as a defaulter, but would be aide to exercise the franchise, Consequently it was not necessary for ratepayers In see if they were on the rolls, as : hev were ; meed there, automatically. If it was not nocessvy p prepare the rolls the eonnty w mbl be saved £RO