POLITICAL NOTES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 596, 23 August 1913, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

THE DEFENCE ACT. Unduly strict enforcements of the Defence Act, which country paople strorgly re3ent, are complained of by Mr Buxton He has asked the Minister of Defence whether instructions have been issued to prosecute any parson liable for service under the Defence Act who may be absent from one parade without leave. Young men residing in the country may fully intend being present at a parade, and may be prevented from doing so at the last moment, and not have time to apply to the officer in charge for leave of absence. PUBLIC TRUST BUSINESS. "The Government will do nothing that is inconsistent with the welfare of the Public Trust Office or that is repugnant to the interest of persons who place their estates in the hands of the Public Trustee for realiration and management," replies the Hon. Mr Herdman to the member for Grey in answer to a question on the subject. CONTABLE SMYTH WANTS REINSTATEMENT. A lengthily-worded petition w;i3 presented on Wednesday by Mr Webb on behalf of ex-eonslabie Smyth, who appeals to Parliament against whtt he considers to be an unjust dismissal from the police force, and applies for consideration and reinstatement '.n th n force as from June 14th last, Ihd date of his dismissal. LOCAvL ELECTIONS. The Goverraennt's amendment to the Local Elections Act provides that elections must take place ten instead of seven days after the nominations clore. It contains a provision for a prelimi > ary declaration of the tentative result, followed by a scrutiny of the rolls immediately afterwards in the presence •of the candidate's scrutineers, after ; which die ofiicjal result shall be deciared. If any candidate doubts the < accuracy cE the result he may appeal to a magistrate for a second count. Itjiluencing voters on the way to the ! poll, printing or distributing mock ; ballot papers, or making any public ; demonstration relating to the poll dur- : ing the polling n punishable by a fine- ! up to £2O. ; Persona publishing defamatory mat- : ter relating to candidates calculated :to influence voters are liable to , I JSO i fine. The Parliamentary definitions of bribery, corruption are to be ap I plied to local elections. | BIBLE IN SCHOOLS, i Mr J. A. Hanan aksed the Prime | Minister on Wednesday whether he is | in favour of or against a referendum lon the subject of Bible Reading in | Schools? Mr Massey replied, "I have j already indicated that it is not ini tended to introduce legislation this sessiun, providing for a rereredum on the subject of Bible Reading in State Schools, and with that answer the | honourable member will have to be satisfied for present."