SOLDIERS' VOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 237, 5 October 1940, Page 5

SOLDIERS' VOTES.

PROVISION MADE. • ELECTORAL ROLL ALTERED. WELLINGTON, this day. New Zealandera serving with the forces overseas are now legally entitled to vote for candidates for Parliament or at licensing polls held in the Dominion, to be nominated as candidates for x Parliament, or be appointed to the j Legislative Council, the Electoral * Amendment Bill having been passed by J both Houses of Parliament yesterday. 1 When the bill came up for its second reading in the House of Representatives, , the Prime Minister, Mr. Eraser, said he < was sure that everyone would agree that * the men who went overseas should have ] the right to vote or stand for Parlia- ' inent, and consequently he did not think there would be any opposition to the , bill. The bill also safeguarded the _ salaries of members of Parliament serv- , ing with the forces. < The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. J Hamilton): Hasn't that been done , already ? 1 Mr. Eraser said that was so, but the bill made statutory provision for the ' payment of salaries to members of Parliament and the Legislative Council. He suggested that there should not be a second reading debate but that any details that required explanation could be dealt with in committee. Mr. Hamilton said that he agreed that the House would appreciate the bill and he did not think it could be criticised. The measure was designed to meet legal requirements and the Opposition had no objection to it. The Government was particularly anxious that the Bill should be passed at once, Mr. Fraser said, because it would safeguard the rights of any soldier who wished to be nominated for the vacant Waipawa seat. The bill was read a second time, put through committee without discussion, and passed. The Legislative Council then met and put the bill through all stages.