VOTES FOR OUR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 83, 2 September 1914, Page 8

VOTES FOR OUR SOLDIERS.

ENABLING BILL BEFORE THE

HOUSi).

By Telegraplh.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In tho House of Representatives corigliit, tilie Expeditionary, Foroo Voting Bill was introduced; by Governor's fc sage.

Hon. F. M. B. Fisher explained that the Bill was intended to give the menn-l-ci's of the Expeditionary Forres the full rights of citizenship under the Legislature Ait. It was reasonable to sujjpose that our second force wooid 'jo 011 English tsoil when the elections taks place. A roll would he prepared ->n ' the voyage, and the names of candidates would ba cabled to England], >.nd the results would foe cabled buck on (he day on which the tdefction was liehl here. He wus not certain: what the position in Samoa would be a, low months hence, but it might he .necessary to send an «leett>mi officer to fciHd an election there. ' ■

S,ir Joseph Wtird said mo impression, ■l Fticir listening to the speech of tihe Minister, was that th« Bill would defeat 'the object''of those who wished to ;east tlwAr votes. Tine <dcetisto' should he held here, (before the men left, allowing earth man to vote for his party Mr. RutosdJ said the 'broad question which the people wouW haw to decide at no.vt election was whether the present Kiovermnent was to remain in office or not, and surely a simple, way of giving mien an opportunity of e.\' - p wains; their opinion' on thai question could be devised. T'lie, election oug'it 'to be held before tile mwni left. Mr. Hanan contended that nobbing should) he dtone to destroy the spirit of unity amongst fur men. Ijct the House take ground, and show that the liict. consideration was not party advantage but the good of the Empire. Mr. Bradney contended that there there was no object in postponing file electron, except to save the dost of the election.

Mir. Myers said that if 'An election was rot held, before 'the contingent left New Zealand' it would; he better that it be not 'held at nil.

Mr. (J. V. Pen.vcc thought the proposal in the Bill was impracticable. Tfci> !""<• shoaJd .vote by pt«sy before they left. "Mr. Ruiie.k said the. Bill was the most 'absurd proposal ever 'heard of. Eventually, the Bill was refen-exl to a sel<*cit committee. on the motion 'if tne Hon. Mr. Fisher.