That Informal Nomination.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 15, 28 November 1905, Page 3

That Informal Nomination.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I see in your correspondence columns under date November 14th reference made to my informal nomination paper. In justice to the officers concerned I wish to say that the informality consisted of a mistake in filling in the form, and not to anything in the way of sharp practice on anyone’s part. Had it been the latter I should certainly not have allowed the matter to rest. And I may say that I took steps to secure full information before I allowed it to drop. I am sure I have the support of my nominators in removing any doubt over this question. While on the subject of elections, I agree with the opinion expressed that there is room—and plenty of room—for improvement on the way they are carried out. I see no reason whatever why Returning Officers or Deputy R.O.’s should not be appointed in each Riding a month before the date of the election, and supplied with copies of the roll and nomination papers. At present a candidate who should, like myself, come into the field late in the day, finds that copies of the roll and nomination papers are kept in the office in Mangonui. Presumably these papers are printed at the expense and for the convenience of ratepayers, but apparently the convenience is only for the sitting members themselves, as they take what they think they may require and leave the rest lying in Mangonui, to be called for, when it would be more simple for a ratepayer to write one out for himself than to fetch it.—l am, etc., HERBERT B. MATTHEWS. Kaitaia, November 18th, 1905.