Returning Officer’s Statement

Southland Times, Issue 22994, 14 September 1936, Page 6

Returning Officer’s Statement

OFFICIAL VOTING PAPER The following statement has been issued by Mr A. McCarthy, Returning Officer conducting the Southland Electric Power Board referendum:— “Questions have been asked about the secrecy of this poll. As Returning Officer I can only say that the poll will be conducted with the utmost care and all individual voting will be treated as strictly confidential to the same degree as in a Parliamentary election.

“A further question has been raised about a circular issued by the Power Board. I have no copy of this document, but can state definitely that a ratepayer is exercising his vote only when he signs the official voting paper forwarded to him under cover of envelope marked Permit No. 39. In this same envelope the ratepayer finds another envelope marked Voting Paper addressed Returning Officer, Clerk of the Court, Private Bag, Invercargill. In this second envelope he encloses his voting paper duly marked by him, seals the envelope down, and pos's it, postage being paid on delivery. Thus he records his official vote. “Officially I know nothing about a Power Board circular; it is certainly not the official voting paper.” CASE FOR THE BOARD ADDRESSES AT ORAWIA. The case for the retention of the Southland electric power scheme was put by Messrs W. McChesney, E. K. Sim and A. McKenzie, members of the board, to a small attendance of Orawia farmers in the ante-room of the Orawia Hail on Saturday night. Mr T. C. King, who was voted to the chair, introduced the speakers. The Power Board representatives gave a full explanation of the affairs of the board, bringing out many points of which those present had not been previously aware. Several questions were asked and answered at the end of the addresses. On the motion of the chairman, the speakers were given a hearty vote of thanks for coming so far at their own expense to explain the position to the ratepayers. Later, at the conclusion of a social evening in the hall, Mr McChesney addressed 40 or 50 people on the lines of his previous remarks. He was accorded a vote of thanks by acclamation.