PARLIAMENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20073, 2 April 1935, Page 9

PARLIAMENT

LOCAL ELECTIONS BILL ADOPTION BY HOUSE By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, April 1. Amendments to the Mortgage Corporation of New Zealand Bill were received by the House from the Legislative Council and Mr Coates, after explaining them, moved that they be agreed to, and this was carried. The Hon. Sir Alexander Young moved the second reading of the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill. Referring to the provision allowing Dunedin electors to vote by use of a cross, he said he had received communications from other places on the same matter. He could do nothing in the present Bill, but as it was only temporary he would agree at a later date to extend that provision to all cities. Mr W. A. Veitch (Ind., Waganui) urged that all local authorities should be included in this legislation if they desired, and he asked the Minister to include Wanganui with Dunedin. The Bill was read a second time and the committee stage was commenced. On the short title Mr Veitch made a strong endeavour to have Wanganui included, but the Minister was adamant, as he said representations had not been received from the proper quarter. The clause relating to the closing of electoral rolls on dates fixed before the passing of this Bill was deleted by the Minister. Speaking on the clause relating to the marking of voting papers, the Minister said every available step to make the proposed change known to the public had been taken by the Dunedin City Council. He could not accept an amendment to include Wanganui as it would make the clause ridiculous because the clause had been drawn specifically to meet the special circumstances in Dunedin. So far as he knew, the Wanganui City Council had passed no resolution asking for the adoption of the cross system and the only representation he had received was a telegram from the Mayor of Wanganui received late that afternoon. Mr Veitch said that Wanganui knew' exactly what it was doing and what it wanted, and he moved an amendment to have the provision apply to any City Council. Several members spoke in favour of the amendment, but indicated that they would not vote for the clause if it meant that Dunedin would lose the privilege the clause would give it. Others opposed the amendment, which was lost by 32 votes to 15.

Mr Veitch moved a further amendment to add the Wanganui City Council to the clause, but this was lost on the voices.

The Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed.