AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21911, 21 September 1934, Page 8

AUSTRALIAN ELECTIONS

COST OF THE POLLS TOTAL OVER £IOO,OOO At the Australian Federal elections, 9327 officials were engaged in Victoria at 2185 polling places. More than 3,000,000 ballot-papers were required, and it was estimated that the cost of the election in Victoria was about the same as that in 1931 —£24,300. The officials consisted of 403 assistantreturning officers, 4435 presiding officers and assistant-presiding officers. 4476 poll clerks and 13 doorkeepers. The expenses, which amount roughly to £IOOO for each of the 20 divisions of the State, are for printing, payment of officials, transportation of ballot-boxes, hire of polling places, cleaning and lighting, and so forth.

In the appointment of officials for polling day preference was given first to unemployed married returned soldiers, then to unemployed single returned soldiers and then to unemployed men. The preference applied to the less important positions, for experienced men are required for tasks involving considerable responsibility. It was estimated that the cost of the election throughout the Commonwealth would be between £IOO,OOO and £105.000. The appropriation on the Estimates was £lll,OOO. On polling day 31,636 officials were employed at a cost of £70,000.