POLLING DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22152, 25 September 1943, Page 4

POLLING DAY

EARLY ACTIVITY UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER Today the electors of New Zealand will choose a Government to guide the country’s destinies during the next three years. In Hamilton it has been a busy day for candidates and their committees, returning officers and their staffs and for the electors themselves. Party supporters were early astir undeterred by the squally weather conditions. Returning officers were early at their posts and although the polling booths were quiet until 10 o’clock more and more electors came to record their votes as the hours progressed. Despite petrol restrictions, the various parties had numbers of cars on the road taking electors to the polling places. At the main Hamilton polling place, the Court House, electors put in a comparatively early appearance, some 60 votes being recorded before 9.30 a.m. More than 1,000,000 people, a record total, were entitled today to vote in the election of 76 European members of the House of Representatives. Nominations for these seats total 270. In Hamilton there was a total of 17,882 people entitled to vote compared with 14,989 in the 1938 election, an increase of 2893. The three country electorates, Waikato, Hauraki and Raglan, however, show a decline, the voting strength for Hauraki being 10,036 in comparison with 11,062, for Waikato 12,506 in comparison with 12,546, and Raglan 10,906 compared with 11 397. Showers Continue The weather for polling day was more promising at the start, although conditions throughout the morning were threatening. In the afternoon there was a marked improvement as the sky cleared after 1 o’clock, but this was short-lived, and squally showers continued during the afternoon. Apparently from force of habit a number of people attended at the Drill Hall, Knox Street, in the early part of the day. This has always been a polling place in previous years but was not available for this election. People in the town area had the choice of the Courthouse and the Technical High School. A report from Te Awamutu this morning stated that polling was proceeding rapidly. If the weather improves there is sure to be a large crowd in Victoria Street tonight, where the Dominion as well as the local results will be displayed on a large signboard erected at the front of the Waikato Times. Although the weather this morning probably allowed fewer people to vote early, returning officers are out to get their results collated and transmitted rapidly, and it should not be very long after closing time, 7 p.m., when the first results are posted up. Victoria Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Hood Street and Garden Place from 7 p.m. until midnight. • Collingwood Street will be closed from Alexandra to Victoria Streets.

The candidates will address the electors from the platform in front of the signboard after the results are known. INTEREST IN AUCKLAND (By Telegraph—press Association) AUCKLAND, Saturday There was every indication of a record poll in Auckland today. Voters being undeterred by a dull, windy day, with occasional showers. Electors went to the booths in overcoats and mufflers or in the comfort of cars, hundreds of which were busy in the city and suburbs from the opening of the poll. At the busiest booths staffs were fully taxed at times to cope with the numbers arriving. Streamer* and ribbons were noticeably scarce, due to wartime shortages, and there was not the usual evidence of cards in the vicinity of the booths. Near some booths workers were sheltered against the elements by sentry-like boxes. v