ONE MAN ONE VOTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8534, 7 April 1891, Page 6

ONE MAN ONE VOTE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, —Having just filled up the census form, it occurred to me that a rare chance of obtaining the opinion of the " party liable to a penalty of —i.e., the head of families, on the manhood suffrages and the " one man one vote system " had been lost. I object to be held responsible for all that is stated on the census form, when I am only equal to any runaway apprentice of 21 years of age just starting to sow his wild oats, or the scoundrel just out of jail who has wasted his time in drunkenness and other crimes, on polling day. J have tilled up my form properly, but is it not an anomaly when such is the case? A better pen than mine will, I hope, take lip the case, and never cease until we are either relieved from our responsibilities or are empowered to say who are to be our representatives.— am, &c., Joseph Mayo (aged 49), Drury.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Elective Governors, one man one vote, and other of Sir George Grey's fads for the benefit of unborn millions, do not appear to have been by any means popular at the Sydney Conference. Ido not think it is for the benefit of any country that all the tagrag and bobtail members of the community should be entrusted with a vote. There should be some necessary qualification, and the line of demarcation should be drawn somewhere. In some parts of Africa, in order to have a vote a man must have either property to the value of £25, or earn in wages £50 per annum. To me it appears monstrous to think that a man of indolent habits, a good-for-nothing, lazy, ne'er-do-well loafer, should have the same voice in selecting our political representatives as a man who has a substantial stake in the colony. The line should be drawn somewhere. Will any of your correspondents suggest the qualification necessary for a fair adjustment of voting power?l am, etc., Amicus.