TRAVELLING ELECTORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17130, 8 April 1919, Page 8

TRAVELLING ELECTORS.

ABSENT VOTERS' PERMITS.

IGNORANCE OF THE LAW.

MANY ANXIOUS INQUIRIES.

The system under which absent voters' permits are being Issued in connection with the approaching licensing poll does not appear to be clearly understood by 3 large number of those interested. Voters who are absent from the electorate in which they are enrolled may apply for permits to vote, bat the applications must go to the registrars of iheir own digtricts, who issue the permits and forward them to the applicant* through postmasters or other responsible Government officers. It appears, however, (bat many voters think that all that' is necessary to secure the permits is to make applications to tho registrars in the districts to which they are visitors. This misapprehension is Riving rise to a great deal of disappointment on the part of visitors to Auckland. The central electoral bure.rj at (lie Gov. ernment Buildings was crowded during 'he greater portion of yesterday by residents of electorates in various part* <-.f the Do minion, from the Bijy of Islands t«-> the southern end of the South Island, who are desirous of "ecording their votes in Auckland. The issue of the permit* may be expedited by telegrams requesting the posting of permits. These telegrams may bo for warded to registrars by the electoral officers with whom the application? r ? lodged. A large number of these tele grams wero despatched from Auckland yesterday, and a special clerW wa.« pneaevd to type the messages. Another extra clerk also was employed in order to enable the press of business to be dealt, with. The polling day is now so close that it will b<> impossible, even by the aid of the tele graph, for the permits to reach many of the applicants in time to be of use Several electors on ascertaining their position yes terday, hurriedly left for their homes in order to be able to record their votes in their own districts.