THE COMING ELECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18625, 5 August 1922, Page 5

THE COMING ELECTION

COMPILING THE BOLLS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 4. The methods employed by the Electoral Department in compiling the rolls for the forthcoming General Election were the subject of a question asked by Mr P. P. Hockly (Rotorua) in the House to-day. 'lhe member said that some of the methods were not satisfactory as far as the back countrv' districts were concerned. At least, he understood that postmasters were being asked to compile the names of electors, and if any person happened to- bfe overlooked that person was likely to lose his vote. He explained that if a registrar decided to cross a name off the roll the person concerned was given seven days in which to lodge an objection, and as in some of the districts there was only a weekly mail the elector oould not lodge his objection in time. He asked that the time of grace be extended to 14 days. The Prime Minister, as Minister in charge of the Electoral Department, agreed that a change wag necessary if 1 ’ the position was as stated by the member for Rotorua, and he said he would consult the head of the department and do what was required. Mr T, H. Potter (Roskill) also had a question to hsk the Postmaster-general, ■tie wanted to know whether there was any chock on the postmen who were entrusted with the duty of placing the names of electors on the roll. He said ho had received advice that as the result of one of these men failing to call at a house 60 people had found themselves cut off the roll. The Hon. J. G. Coates replied that special care had been taken in the selection of men who were canvassing and supplying enrolment forms, and not all of them wore postmen. He promised to make inquiries. Replying to Mr G. W. Forbes,, the Prime .Minister said that as in previous years the police would see to the placing of electors on the rolls. The police had done the work quite satisfactorily in the past, and he had no doubt they would do it quite as satisfactorily now.—("Hear, hear.”)