VOTING AT TUB GENERAL ELECTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12602, 4 March 1903, Page 5

VOTING AT TUB GENERAL ELECTION.

(From Oor. Oivx CoaiiEßroxnm.} WELLINGTON,- Maroh 3.. All interesting supplement to tho Year Book Jias just been issued from tile oilieo of tho Registrar-general giving particulars of tho voting at the last general election. Tho total number of European voters on tho rolls was 415,789 out of a total adult population estimated at 429,3:5. These figures give a proportion of 96.83 per cent, of adult-, who were registered as electors against 56.79 at tho previous election in 1699, 95.11 in 1886, and' 94.98 in 1893. The number of persons who voted or who went, to the poll was 318,859, or 76.69 per cent, of" the number on tho rolls, a slightly smaller proportion than obtained in '1E93, which was 77.59 per cent. The number of men on the rolls was 229,845, or only 3757 short of tho full number of adult males in the colony aa estimated for tho day of the election. The males who voted in 1902 wcro 180,294, or 78.44 per cent, of those on the rolls, against 79.06 per cent, in 1599. Tho figures relating to women show that a lesser proportion (84.97 per cent.) of adults were registered as 'electors in 1902 than in 1899—95.24 per cent, Tho number of women who voted (133.565), is 74.52 per cent, of the females on tho rolls, while in 1899 thero were 119,550 who voted, giving the higher proportion of 75.70 per oent., so that (assuming the figures to be correct) there is no evidence of a greater willingness now on tho part of the females to go to the poll. Particulars are given for the four city electorates where the electors have the right of voting for three members. The number of votes exercisable is more than 28,009 in excess of those recovded,* so that some of the electors evidently voted for only one or two candidates. For the two northern cities (Auckland and Wellington) in the numbor of doctors on the rolls and (he number who recorded their votes the males exceeded 1 the females, while for the two city electorates in tho South Island (Christehurch and Dnncdin) tho women voters outnumbered tho IMII.. In 13 instances She deposits of candidates were forfeited, the number of votes received in each ease having becu less than one-tenth of tho number polled by the successful oandidatc. Ono candidate, the K6v._F._W. Isitt, was nominated for 10 separate districts, and ono, Mr D. Whyte, for two districts. The occupations of members elected in 1902 show an increase in tho number of the representatives of the farmer class as compared with 1899. The table also shows that farmers or ninholders furnish more members than any other class of occupation, _ There were 21 of those (btaidos four given as "settlers") returned in 1902. Thero were 10 barristers or solicitors, and five journalists. The number of members returned in 1902 was 76, against 70 in 1896 and 1699. Referring to tiie Maori elections, tho Registrar-general says:—'.'(K a Maori population amounting to 43,143 persons at the census of 1901 14,271 voted at the general election held in December, 1902, an increaso of 643 on the number who voted at' tho cleotion nf 1899. In 1893' tho voters numbered 11,269, or 1739 persons fewer than in 1896, when 13.000 recorded their votes, while at the general olection held' in' December, 1899, the number of Maoris who voted was 13,628. As the Native population increased but slightly between 1891 and 1901 it would appear that Maoris arc taking move interest as to their representation in Parliament than formerly, or, perhaps, there is now more convenience for attending to vote or a better knowledge of political affairs."