THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, 17 October 1908, Page 5

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS.

CLOSING THE ROLL. A “Times” reporter yesterday made inquiries a‘„ to when 'the .supplementary rolls for- tho... coming, general electionwotild close, and was inform:ecl by the Registrar of 'Electors and I let un ling Officer (Mr. Tl. E. Hill) that no date has yet been fixed, but the rolls would be closed as coon is the writs for tlie“election were tvsued. Those who are entitled to vote should make application to 'be enrolled without any loss of-time, as the writs may he issued at an early date.

Claimants must he British subjects by 'birth or naturalisation, must be not less than twenty-one years of ago at the time of making the claim, must have been a resident of . New Zealand for twelve months, and a resident of the district in which they claim registration for three months, or, ;if enrolled in another electorate, one'month’s residence qualifies them for enrolment. Name, address, and occupation (“spinster,“married,” or “widow,” instead of occupation in the cave of a female), mnist. be given in full, and the claimant must sign the claim for enrollment form himself.. Anyone else signing for him, even at his own -request, is liable to a fine of £SO. The signature of a claimant must be witnessed by an elector of the" district, Registrar, or Postmaster. The witnes m.ust not sign'without having actually seen the claimant write his name, or without Hearing the person signing declare that the signature -is in his own handwriting. Any-person making a false declaration is liable to a fine not exceeding £2O, or to three, months’ imprisonment. "

It is anticipated that the number of electors for the Gisborne constituency will be about 8,500. No “Gazette” notice has yet appeared dissolving Parliament, but the writs for the election must be issued within seven days of the dissolution, and are returnable within ten days after issue.

As the Second Ballot Act will apply for the first time in the history of New Zealand to this election in those electorates where.there are more than two candidates, it* may happen that there will be a second ballot unless one candidate polls more votes than the total scored by his two opponents. In that case the second ballot must take place within seven days after the diy of the general election, and the candidate scoring the least number will have to stand dqsvn.

THE DATE OF THE POLLS. FIXED FOR NOVEMBER 17th. [Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON. Oct. 16. It has been definitely decided that the elections will be held on Tuesday, November 17tli. AN AUCKLAND CANDIDATE. [Press Association.] , AUCKLAND, Oct. 10. Air .Robert Thompson, an Independent candidate. addressed a large meeting of electors of City V. est last jiight. " lie regarded the Arbitration -(cl —fin honest attempt to cope with ■ the d ihieuTci^iliiL3?, sanguine as to the result, ““lie' CTO?* -nouneed the second ballot, insisted on the freehold pure, and asserted the unoccupied Native land should be acquired by the Government at a fair valuation and proceeds held in trust for Natives. He favored borrowing for productive works, and immigration of agricultural laborers and domestics. He disapproved of any alteration *in the licensing laws. He was accorded a vote of thanks and confidence.

THE INVERCARGILL SEAT

[Press Association.]

INVERCARGILL, Get, 16

The Political Labor League has decided not to nominate anyone in the meantime as a candidate for the Invercargill seat.

A DUNEDIN CANDIDATE

[Press Association.]

DUNEDIN, Oct. 16

It is understood that Mr. J. McDonald. Mayor of Dunedin, has definitely decided to contest Dunedin Central against Air. J. F. Arnold.