THE LICENSING POLL

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 9

THE LICENSING POLL

Every preparation is being made in the city for the taking of the licensing poll on April 10. The attention of voters is called to the fact -that in previous years changes of address or abode were obtained by a house-to-house visitation, but the practice has not been followed on this occasion. It is probable it will be found that many electors have changed their address since 1914. The position is made clear by section 7 of the Amended Act, whioh says ; " (1) It shall be a ground of objection to any name on a roll or a supplementary roll that the elector does not reside at the place stated on 6uch roll or supplementary roll as the address of such elector. (2) If the registrar has reasonable grounds for believing that such, ground of objection exists in any case, it shall bo the duty of the registrar to object to the retention of such name on the roll in the manner provided by sub-section 3 of section 15 of ' Tli3 Legislature Amendment Act, 1910," and to act in respect thereof in the manner directed by that subsection. (3) The notice in writing required to be given to the elector may be given by registered letter addressed to such elector at the address appearing on the electoral roll or supplementary roll. (4) If the elector within the time limited in. _ the notice satisfies the registrar, or (having given due notioe of appeal) satisfies the magistrate, that he is still resident in the electoral district, or is entitled, to have his name retained on the roll under the provisions of section 44 of ' The Legislature. Act, 1908,' his name shall not be removed from the' rolL" If a change of address within an electorate is not detected and does not form the ground of objection before the roll closes the person concerned will' be able to vote in accordance with the Legislature Act, but electors who have changed their residence Within the district are advised to announce the change promptly to the registrar. Fresh claims for enrolment are not necessary unless the name of the elector has actually been struck off the roll. So far practically no objections have been issued as to the retention of names on the electoral roll for the Dunedin district, probably because people are waiting till the roll is printed. Then developments may occur. Changes of address of electors have been notified very sparsely so far, notwithstanding the fact that attention has been drawn to the necessity for such ,a course of action by advertisement on December 19. These remarks apply to Dunedin Central, but there is no question that' they apply equally to all Dunedin electorates.