The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1879.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5324, 13 March 1879, Page 2

The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1879.

If we were disposed to believe that the possession of the franchise is really regarded as so great a boon as it is sometimes made out to be, we should expect that at each revision of the rolls very large additions would be made—additions proportioned to the increased number of householders, ten-pounders in towns and five-pounders in country districts. No one can, however, suppose for a moment that, as things are, anything like the number that are really entitled claim a vote. It is a duty which we owe to the public to remind them that those who have not a vote, but are entitled to one, can register before the 31st of the present month in their respective districts; but we have not the least idea that large numbers will rush to the Registration Officers with their claims, because we cannot but be aware of the general apathy that prevails on the subject. We can only point out that no one can consistently argue in favour of an extension of the franchise unless he uses the franchise he already possesses, and this franchise embraces a very large proportion of the labouring classes. If any are ignorant of the way to go about it, they can. be enlightened by calling on the Registration Officer, and filling in a very simple form. The whole matter does not occupy five minutes, and a private citizen may by this simple process obtain his due share in the government of the Colony—his five-hundredth or onethousandth part in a member of Parliament— provided only that he exercises his vote when he has got it. There is a very general apathy on another point, namely, the keeping of names on the roll when they are once on. Persons change their residence, or a lease expires under which they claimed to vote, and they may be struck off without knowing anything about it. The same process repeated in this case —a visit to the Registrar's office— will speedily set matters right;

and we must say that, if poople ■will not take as much trouble as that, they do not deserve a vote. It is an unquestionable duty for every man to claim and to use hia vote; and if we needed any argument to enforce our appeal to the negligent at this particular time, we should find it in the fact that in all probability the constituencies will ere long have to decide some very important questions which may affect the balance of power for some time to come. It is almost certain that a dissolution will take place before the rolls under the new Electoral Bill can be prepared, even if that bill be passed early next session j and the fate of the Ministry, in fact of the Liberal party, may depend on the votes to be given at the next e'estion. As all persons now lawfully claiming a vote will be on the rolls by the Ist September next, there is good reason to suppose that they will have a voice in that election, which will very probably be taken on some distinct issue or issues. All persons, therefore, who feel an interest in either a Liberal or Con- ! servative policy, will naturally take care that they themselves are registered, and that as many as possible of their friends who think with them register also. The Education question is one which is sure to come prominently to the front at next election ; and Denominationalisai, Bible-reading, and Secularism pure and simple, will have, as a Northern paper has put ifc, a " three-cornered duel." A very few votes might virtually decide these questions, and the adherents of each particular platform should therefore do all they can to influence their friends to register. We would advise those who, because they are ratepayers in boroughs and road districts, expect to find their names on the rolls as a matter of source, nob to make too sure on this point, as it is, we understand, found very difficult to make certain whether some " John Smith " on the borough or road board rolls is or is not the same John Smith who is already on the electoral roll ; and there are other irregularities which make it as likely as not that a man's name may be struck out by the Registration Officer on account of insufficient description. It is, we believe, the intention of the Registration Officer in Dunedin to have the rolls for the Dunedin, Caversham, and Roslyn electoral districts exhibited in the Post Office hall for the benefit of all inquirers, and this course might judiciously be followed in other districts. Persons can then judge for themselves whether the description given of them on the roll is correct, or needa amendment; or if their names are absent altogether, they can supply the omission by making their claim in the usual way. It must not be forgotten that even when the principle of registered manhood suffrage is adopted, as proposed by the bill of last session, the then existing rolls will form the basis of the new rolls.