THE Waikato Independent. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1907.

Waikato Independent, Volume V, Issue 325, 17 January 1907, Page 4

THE Waikato Independent. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1907.

The remarkable indifference of the electors at the Federal elections recently held in Australia, has evidently caused a feeling of dismay in that country, amongst those interested in its future welfare. As we pointed out in a recent issue, Premier Bent, of the State of Victoria, has already intimated that he intends introducing a compulsory voting bill, and even the Governor of New South Wales has felt it incumbent upon him to publicly express his regret at the wilful neglect of public duties, showm by about half the electors, in not recording their votes. The fact that the Governor of a State felt compelled to express his dissatisfaction, is significant, as reference even indirectly to politics has always been scrupulously avoided by Colonial Representatives of His Majesty. In the course of an address to the boys of the Sydney Grammar-school he made the following grave remarks, in connection with the serious danger to the Commonwealth due to the apathy of electors ; I have been surprised, and I might say horrified, to see by the newspapers that at the last Federal elections not 50 per cent, of the- people who have votes recorded them. Ido not care how you cast your vote, so long as you do what you think is right. There is a great trust given you, and I want you to feel that every vote counts, and that there is only one possible excuse for not voting, and that is being so sick that you are nearly dead.” It may be stated that the number of electors on the rolls in Now South Wales was 740,000, and and the number recorded for the State House of Representatives —less two uncontestecj electorates containing 59,380 electors —was 345,791. This was bad enough, but the number recorded for the Senate candidates w r as only 355,285. From these figures it will be seen that less than 50 per cent, of the electors on the rolls recorded their votes. No wonder, therefore, that His Excellency the Governor of New r South Wales expressed his dismay at this disgraceful neglect of electoral duties.