VOTES OF ABSENT SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 253, 24 October 1919, Page 9

VOTES OF ABSENT SOLDIERS.

UNSATISFACTORY SYSTEM. TOO WIDE A FIELD. (Special to "Star.") WEULXSGTOS, Thursday. It was suggested by Mr. Holland to the 'Prime Minister this afternoon that ■ eoldieie abroad at the ithne of the general election should be given the opportunity of voting for a party instead of an individual, as in 1»14. Mr. Massey j replied that the suggestion eeemed veryj simple on the face of it, but last timej it worked out most unsatisfactorily, and! he thought it would be a good deal worse this time. Although there might' lie only three official parties, whet about; •the great body of Independent candidates this time? (Laughter and injer- , jections.) "I have even seen reference* to: Independent Labour Candidatea," re-; marked the Premier, amid a good deal of merriment. Mr. Holland: They must be camouflaged Lafoour candidates put up by the other parties. | Mr. Massey: What about saneLabour candidates. (Renewed laughter.) He added the opinion that there were difficulties in the way of the suggestion which seemed 'to be insuperable. ! Sir Joseph Ward suggested that tie votes of soldiers afloat should be .sealed and opened by the Chief Electoral Ofli-j ccr on the arrival of the veescl. | The Premier reminded hie that this would mean holding up the result of the election until the arrival of 'the last boat to leave prior to tlie election. Sir Joseph Ward put in another ple;i for the wives of soldiers recently arrived from the Old Country. Mr. Maseey: But they have no knowledge of the requirements of this country. Sir Joseph Ward: But they have huebands, and I think exception should be made in cases of women who have arj rived with their soldier husbands.