SOLDIER'S MUNICIPAL VOTES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 264, 3 April 1917, Page 1

SOLDIER'S MUNICIPAL VOTES.

THE LAW EXPLAINED

As briefly reported in our last issue, logal advice has been obtained by the Otalnihu Borough Council on the question of returned soldiers or men in camp voting at the forthcoming municipal elections, and the opinion of Mr. T. F. Martin (counsel to the Municipal Association) is that all soldiers retain their previous local voting irghts. Mr. Martin's letter to the Otnhuhu Borough Council reads as follows: — "It a soldier has at any tune had his permanent home in New Zealand for one year, and has during the three calendar months last past had his permanent home in your district, he lias a residential qualification given him by section 3 of 'The Municipal Corporations Act, 1910.' This section does not require that the residence in New Zealand shall be for the one year 'last past.' Where the soldier's permanent home was in your district immediately before he went into military service his 'permanent home' during the three months last past is deemed to have been in your district, notwithstanding that during all or part of that time he was in camp in New Zealand or was out of New Zealand on military service. Sub-section 3, section 3, provides that a man shall be deemed to reside in the place in which he has his permanent home."