Paying Cost Of The Military Training Referendum

Chronicle (Levin), 17 September 1949, Page 4

Paying Cost Of The Military Training Referendum

Press Associatton)

(Per

WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. In fhe Hcmse of RepresentativoB this afternoon, Mr, C. Webb (Nat,-Hodney) speaking to the vote for the Electoral Department, said thoughtfu] people had raised the point as to whether it was right that the cost of the military training poll campaign should have beon eharged * to the general taxpayer. Though he did not agree.swith the fninority which opposed military training it seemed curious that they shoui-i have to contribute toward the cost of a campaign which was opposed to their opinion. The -campaign expenses should haye been borne by the Government Pafty. Mr 0. H. Mackley (Nat. -Masterton) said the poll cost the country £100,000 or more — £60,000 for the cost of taking the poll and £40,000 for the publicitv. There was also to be taken into consideration the loss "of production. Mr Mackley said the expense could have been saved had Parliament been affpwed to determine tho issue. ' Mr Sutherland said there would have been no need for a referendum if the House had first been consulted instead of the Labour Party Conference. Mr Fraser said the taking Of the poil and matters associated with it eoncerned the defence of the country toward which all must pay. Defence could not be treated as an academic queStion for the purpose of discussiug who should pay for tlie polls. There tnight be some logitimate argument against the taking of a poll, but there could be noue against- spending the people's money to safegnatd the couutry. Mr Fraser, replving to Mr Rov said there were now 31,091 personp enrolled ou tho four Maori electoral TOlls. Tho Northern roll had 7927 names, Western 10,406, Eastcrn ll,506i and . Southern ,1252. Tha rplis had cloeed on. Jupe 20. Thirty-thonsand voted in the Maori 'Mectorates- at - the- last .general election.