THE ELECTORAL ROLLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15753, 30 October 1914, Page 4

THE ELECTORAL ROLLS.

- ♦ ANOTHER COMPLAINT IN HOUSE. [nr TEr.ECBArn.— spkciat, correspondent.] Wellington, Thursday. Another complaint in regard to the electoral roils was voiced in the- House this afternoon by Sir Joseph Ward. Ho said that ho had been informed by several people whose names were on the roll at the last election that their names were not now on the rolls. One man had told him that ho knew of no fewer than 30 people who were enrolled at the last election who were not now enrolled, and it so happened that all these men were workers. He had received a similar complaint from Christehurch. He referred to the Wellington Central main loil which, he said, contained nearly 4000 names less this year than it contained three years ago.

The Prime Minister, in tho absence of the Minister in charge of the Electoral Department, said 'hat everything possible was being done to place tho rolls in a thoroughly satisfactory position, but it was impossible to avoid mistakes. He remembered the case of a man being elected to the House some years ago whose name was not on any printed roll. That was due to a- clerical error. That man was a member of the, House to-day.

Sir Joseph Ward: He was riot on our side- of the House.

Mr. Ma.-sey repeated that tho Government was doing all that was possible to obtain clean rolls. As for tho Wellington Central roll, he believed this year's roll would be much larger than the past lolls of that district.

Mr. Payne (Grey Lynn) asked whether the Prime Minister would agree, to recommit the Legislative Bill in order to provide that" all persons ever the age of 21 should be allowed to vote.

-Mr. Massey: That is impossible as tho Bill has already passed both Houses.