ABSENT VOTERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11220, 11 December 1911, Page 5

ABSENT VOTERS.

Of the absent voters' permits issued for Masterton electorate there aro still fourteen outstanding. Tho Returning Officer (Mr W. Gillespie) has received telegraphic advice that these have been exercised. There were 123 absent voters permits issued and 58 were exercised. The result of those to hand is as follows: — Herbert 18 Hogg 32 Sykes 21) Informal 1 Local Restoration 32 Local No-License 40 Informal 1 National Prohibition 53 Against 24 Informal 1

Thero appear to be quite a large number of womeu electors who think they have done their duty by voting at the first ballot, and that their votes will be automatically recorded at the second ballot without any further trouble on their part. This is, of course, quite a mistake. It is the duty of every elector to go to the polling booth again next Thursday, and vote for the candidate of his or her choice. Mr Hogg visited Eketahuna on Friday, and on Saturday motored out to other parts of the district. He will address the electors at Alfredton to-night, and at Eketahuna to-mor-row night. It has been arranged that he will address meetings at Kuripuni, Masterton and Lansdowne on Wednesday night. Miss Hogg has proceeded to the Bush districts to delivor addresses on behalf of her father. Mr A. L. Herdman, M.P., will speak at Eketahuna to-night, and at Masterton to-morrow night, in the interests of Mr Sykes and the Roforni Party. It is stated tliat, a proposal was made to obtain a speech from Sir Jas. Carroh in support of the candidature of Mr Hogg, but the candidate preferred to bo without it. It is evident, therefore, that the Government supporters are throwing their

full weight into the election in tho interests of Mr Hogg. •Mr J. Boustead presided at Mr Sykes' meeting at Alfredton ou Saturday night. There was a good attendance. • aud the candidate was given an enthusiastic reception. At the close of his address he was accorded a hearty vote ot thanks. A successful meeting was lieJd at Hukanui at 1 o'clock on Monday. It has been arranged for Mr Sykes to speak at Mauriceville East on Tuesday evening, commencing ac 7.30 p.iii. At the conclusion of his meeting Mr Sykes will be motored into Masterton, so that he may be present at tlie latter part of the big Reform demonstration there. The question has been asked: Have persons, who hold a permit to vote at a second ballot, but who are, at the time of voting, in an electorate where no second ballot is being held, any means of recording their vote? According to tho Second Ballot Act such a vote may be recorded at any post office money order office in au electorate where no second ballot is taking place. On Friday aud Saturday, Mr G. R. Sykes received several scores of telegrams, from friends in all parts of the Dominion, heartily congratulating him upon the result of the first ballot, aud confidently predicting his success in the second ballot. Mr J. P. Luke who was defeated on the first ballot was asked just prior to the election how he would vote on a no-confidence motion, and, according to reports published this morning, said that about a fortnight ago the Premier had sent for him and asked him to stand aside for another candidate. He had absolutely refused, and considered tlie proposal an insult to him after the services ho had rendered the country anil the city. Ho would vote to remove tho present Government from office and fill their places from men elected to represent the Liberal Party in Parliament, but he wanted it clearly understood that ho would not voto to put Sir Joseph Ward out for tho purpose of putting Mr Massey in. A Press Association telegram states that a recount has shown that Mi: Ell (Christchurch South) has been returned without a Second Ballot. Absent voters' yot to be accounted for may, however, affect tho relative positions of Messrs Davey and Hunter in the Second Ballot in Christchurch East.