MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

PROLONGING PARLIAMENT. REGISTER BILL WITHDRAWN. STRONG OBJECTIONS BY SIR E. CARSON. Received August 17, 6.15 p.m. London, August 16. In the House of Commons, on the second reading of the Register Bill, Sir !E. Carson said if the elections were hold during the war period the Parliament so elected would have to conduct the peace negotiations, and frame an after war policy. The men with the colors ?nd also the munition soldiers at home would be disfranchised. These men had a special claim to a voice in the peace and after-war policy. If thev insisted on pressing for a Bill" or machinery which would enable them to vote, he saw no difficulty about the soldiers in the field polling their votes. Australia, New Zealand, and British Columbia had made arrangements, therefore !Sir J. Simon had advocated simple adult suffrage for a Parliament of re-con-struction. Mr. Asquith deprecated reviving the futile controversies when the armies were approaching victory. It was necessary to secure better register without delay, and also devote attention to the working out of a scheme whereon they could create a Parliament auer the war adequate to the great responsibilities it would have to face. He agreed that the soldier? and sailors should be consulted in the composition thereof, but at present it was impossible. The Governments new register intended to continue only during the war period, and a few transitional months after the war. Several member? supported Sir E. Carson's suggestion that the Government should introduce a separate Bill after the recess, enabling soldiers' claims to bo discussed. Mr. Bonar Law promised that the Government would not proceed with the Bill firther. The Autumn Session Bill, and the Prolonging of Parliament Bill, were read a second time. Sir E. Carson said he noticed amendments reducing the eight months' extension to six, also providing that if the general elections occur on the old register, the new Parliament's life will be only for two years. URGENT NEED FOR ECONOMY. REDUCED DRINK BILL URGED. Received August 17, 7.15 p.m. London, August 17. The National War Savings Committee ]x>ints out that the nation is spending £182,000,000 on drink, and appeals for a reduction in view of the urgent need for economy. REPARATION FOR FRYATT ' OUTRAGE. London, August 16. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith said that the Government would not tolerate a resumption of diplomatic relations with Germany until reparation had been made for the Fryatt outrage.