Military Training Poll Bill Presented To House

Chronicle (Levin), 30 June 1949, Page 6

Military Training Poll Bill Presented To House

WELLINGTON, June 29, Authority for the takihg of a poll 011 the question of- eompulsory military training, is eontained in tlie Military Training Poll Bill whieh was introduced and read a first time in the , House of Representatives today. In an explanation of the measure, the Prime Minister, Mr. Eraser, said he thought it would be possible tp have the referendum in the first .or second week in August, The form of voting paper which is set out in a schedule to the Bill, eontains the following two issues: — I vote for eompulsory military train ing- . I vote against eompulsory military training. . ' A voter must strike oirt oue * line, leaving untonched the lirie whieh shows the way he \Wishes to vote. Tlie Parliamentary franchise will be used toi the ref ere&dum and " the poll will be taken in eaeh electoral distriet, both Ouropean and Maori, on a day. to be fixed by * the Governor-General by Order-in-Council. The voting papers used in the Maori electorates are to oe printed in both the English and Maon languages. The' day of the poll shall not be a half-holiday but employers will have t'o allow workers to leave their work for a reasonable time up to two hours, with-. out loss of pay, in order to record their votes. It shall be unlawful to sell intoxicating liquors in any licensccl premises between 12 noon and 7 p.m. on the day of the poll whieh will elose at 7 p.m. An elector of,a Maori eleetorai distriet may vote at any European polling plaee in that eleeorate, instead oi at a Maori polling plaee. A Maori elector, whether or not he is registered as an eelctor, may vote as an absentetat any polling plaee outside his electoral distriet whether European or Maori. Last year's legislation whieii relates to the registration of Maori electors • shall not apply to the ' poli. The rolls used for the referendum wiij be the main and supplementary rolis used at the last • General Election, the supplementary roll prepared for the gaming poll last March afid a further supplementary roll which will elose on a day to be fixed by Ordei-in-Oouneil. There are maehinery clauses dealing with the deelaration of tlieiresult of tlie poll" by. the Chief Eleetoral Officei. Ttegulations may be made to give elfeci to the provisions of the Bill... The Prime Minister said a memorandum detailing the seheme qf training whieh would be adopted if t:he referendum were carried, would be cireulated to members and given ever% publieity. He hoped to have' the Bill -passed tms week. T The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, said he thought it should oe possible to p&ss the Bill by Eridav.