ELECTION DATE.

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 18332, 2 November 1931, Page 3

ELECTION DATE.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2.

Short, Sharp Campaign.

ONLY THREE WEEKS

NECESSITY TO ENROL.

(By Telegraph.-Press Association)

•WELLINGTON, Nov. 2. Although the, official announce-, ment will he withheld for some days it is learned on good authority that Cabinet has selected Wednesday, Deceniber^asthedateforthegeneral election.' ' It is expected it will now be possible to finish the business; of. the session by next Saturday, thus al--1 lowing a little over three weeks foa for the selection of a date earlier than December 9 is the desire of the .Government to prevent fhe election, from unduly interfering with CUvistmas trade. Registration fo Electors.

The enrolment of electors is proceeding satisfactorily, accOtdrng to a short statement made m theHpuse by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G W. Forbes. , .. ' "The latest returns furnished to the Department;" said the Prime Minister,-show that 65,371 persons have applied for registratioynh supplementary rolls for all dec toral disti icts, 33,877 electors have transferred from one district to another, and 15,942 electors have changed their addresses. lheso figures clearly indicate that electors are fully alive to their obligations under the Electoral Act." Mr Forbes reminded the Houso that every person who: failed to register was liable to a penalty, on conviction. In view qf the circumstances and the fact that registration was compulsory, it was not eonsida ed necessary or advisable to employ Government officers to make a house-to-house visitation in the city electorates for the purpose of enroling electors. Very likely thoso people who complained, that they were.not on the main roll would bo 'i on the supplementary roll. Mr W. E. Pajvy (Labour, Auckland Central): There are'hundreds not on the roll. The Prime Minister: Everyone 13 quired to register, otherwise a fine will be imposed. -That should be sufficient inducement to register* 'Has anyone been fined?" asked Mr E. J. Howard (La° our > Christchurch South). S The Prime Minister: I believe there has been, although I do not know of 'a case. If the purposes of the Act are being defeated, action will be taken by the Department to see that the -provisions are complied with.