THE TERRITORIAL ENCAMPMENT

Southland Times, Issue 17620, 7 April 1914, Page 6

THE TERRITORIAL ENCAMPMENT

And THETSAYORAL ELECTION, v A good deal qf comment is continued to be mad© regarding the clashing of the territorial encampment at Sutton with the mayoral election, owing to which a considerable number of .young men will be deprived of their right to vote. THE MAYOR’S OPINIONS. When seen by a Southland Times reporter yesterday, the Mayor (Mr D. AlcParlane) said, that the position was a most unfortunate one, and it was regrettable that, so fur as lie could sec. there was at present no remedy for it. flic .date of the encampment hint been fixed so as to til in with the visit of Sir lan -Hamilton. it must not ho forgotten, however, that citizen’s rights were paramount. and it was a very serious matter to deprive any man or woman of oven the slightest portion of thorn. It might ■be that serious issues might-be involved In connection with an election, and no person entitled to vote should be retarded from doing so. The position .called loudly for provision being made for any future happening of 'the kind, and so far as he himself was concerned, he would do whatever was in his power to have a remedial measure brought down. MR IV. A. OTT'S VIEWS. “I think that it is unfortunate that no provision has been made for the placing of a polling booth at the territorial camp In order that those who are doing their duty to the country should have an opportunity of exercising their right to vote.” said Mr W. A. Ott. when approached on the subject. **--Vt the last meeting of the Council the 'matter was referred to the finance committee, but from enquiries I have made it does not seem that there is any likelihood of the defect in the Act being remedied in. time for the mayoral election. in order to give territorials the right to vote under the circumstances which have arisen it would necessitate the amendment of the Act. and therefore nothing can be done until Parliament meets. The town clerk Jias pointed out that nembers of the territorials will not be of age and therefore not entitled to vote. Others, on the other hand, who are in the Invercargill electoral district do not reside in the borough, and they, too, would not be entitled to vote, so that the total number affected will not be .nearly so large us Is generally expected At the same time a great deal of injustice is to my mind being done to the officers and men' of the territorial forces and I feel quite sure that when this matter is referred to the next municipal conference —as undoubtedly it will he—very strong representations will be made to the Government to amend the law. Although the number affected this tear is not so large, many more will reach the age of twenty-one years next year, and these men will remain in the territorial forces so that the position at the next election will be that a far greater number will he at a disadvantage unless tiie matter is remedied. However. I fe-el quite sure that since the defect lias been pointed out steps will he taken at once to remedy it. The Act governing local elections at present provides that where a borough council office Is outside the borough it is to be held as being inside the borough providing that all the other polling booths are inside the area affected, so that there is at present no provision, as there ought to be. for the taking of a poll, say, in the territorial camp.