A WORD IN SEASON.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 129, 30 March 1881, Page 2

A WORD IN SEASON.

We need not remind our readers that as Trieunial Parliaments are now the law of the land, the close of the coming Session will see a dissolution, and a general election. The importance of the matters affecting this county makes it advisable that every member of the community who i^ entitled to exercise the franchise should take due precaution, so that when the. time arrives he will not be debarred from the privilege. '"If coming events cast their shadows before," then certainly the s»»ns of the times presage a more than ordinary eventful political campaign. Tt is somewhat strange that while hard struggles have been fought elsewhere m support of manhood suffrage, so many are to be found who have the privilege within their reach, and yet from pure apathy or neglect refuse to avail themselves of the boon. Under the present liberal Electoral Act every male adult who has been for twelve months m the colony and six months m a district, is entitled to vote, although he may not be the possessor of a foot of land, or the lpssee of the lowliest wbare. Increased facilities are aho given for registration, for while hitherto it was impossible to do to after a certain date, under the 'ne« system it is within the reach of all to do so, as the deputy-regi«trar receives applications two days m the week. So many ratepayers trust to the chance that their names may be inserted upon the general electoral roll for Parliamentary representation by the officials of the various local governing bodies, only to discover to their chagrin and mortification when it is too late that such has not been done. The amount of voting pow-r which is b^iner yearly lost to constituencies and candidates is beyond all comprehension, and when it is recollected that perhaps throush the supinenessof ratepayers some incapable, or, worse s^ill, some professional po'itician is foisted unon a community, such neglect cannot be too strongly condemned. Tn proof of our assertion, we need go no further than this county. According to the last Census return* there were 3260 male residents within its boundaries, while the number of p?r*ons qualified to vofp at the last election was 1546. Of course we are a war" that the electors of the county are now nenrly eight hundred m excess of that amount — that is, providing the electorate of Minawatu is left intact — but e ven so, we believe it could b" supplemented by a great deal more. We would therefore urge upon those who have not yet had their names inserted upon the roll to do so at once. Delays are dangerous, «md th'^re is always 'he fear that m nuttinsr it off from day to day it will be forgotten altogether.