IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11649, 18 August 1916, Page 5

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

EXTENSION OF LIFE. A FRANCHISE DIFFICULTY. CLAIMS OF FIGHTING MEN. London, August 16.

In the House of Commons, on the second reading of the Register Bill, Sir Edward Carson said that if the elections were held during the war period the Parliament so elected would have to conduct peace negotiations and frame the after-war policy. Men with the colours, also munition workers and soldiers at Home and discharged had a special claim to a voice in the peace and after-war policy. He insisted in pressing for the Bill or machinery which would enable them to vote. He saw no difficulty about soldiers in the field polling. Australia, New Zealand and British Columhia had made arrangements for voting. Sir John Simon advocated simple adult suffrage for a Parliament of reconstruction.

Mr Asquith deprecated reviving fntile’controversies when the armies were "approaching victor}’. It was necessary to secure a better register without delay and to devote attention to working out a scheme on which to create Parliament after the war adequate to the great responsibilities.: He agreed that soldiers and sailors should be consulted in the composition of the Parliament, but at present that - was impossible. The Government’s new register was intended to continue only during the war period, and a few transitional months after the war.

Several members supported Sir Edward Carson’s suggestion that the Government should introduce a separate Bill after the recess enabling soldieis’ claims to be discussed.

Mr Bonar Law promised that the Government would not proceed with the Bill further before the autumn session.

The Bill was read a second time. The Prolonged Parliament Bill was read a second time.

.Sir Edward Carson gave notice of amendments reducing the eight months’ extension to six months, also providing that if general elections occur on the old register the new Parliament’s life shall be only two years.

THE MARK OF VALOUR. MEDALS FOR THE BRAVE. MANY DESERVE T HEM. Reuter. London, Aug. IT. In the House of Commons Mr Foster stated that more than eight thousand Military Medals had been awarded in France alone since it was instituted in March. Distinguished Conduct Medals are issued at an average rate of three hundred monthly. JAUNT OFPARLIAMENTARIANS VISIT TO BELFAST. London, Aug. 10. The Overseas Parliamentarians visited Belfast. At a Mayoral luncheon it was denied that the visit was intended to dictate Irish domestic affairs. It was contended that the Imperial Parliament, which was controlling the affairs of the whole Empire, would find a solution of the Irish problem.