WAR AND VOTES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 50, 27 August 1914, Page 6

WAR AND VOTES

THE GENERAL ELECTIONS QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT THE PREMIER'S REPLY. Shortly after the House of Representatives met last night Mr. Buick asked the Prime Minister if it wj.s the intention of the Government to give the young men who are leaving New Zealand to fight the battles of the Empiie the chance of voting at the General Elections. There were two questions to be decided — licensing and political. The issue in regard to licensing was clear, and could be voted on before they went away. The political issue was more difficult. They could not give them, the opportunity to vote on a direct issue, but he thought ifc might bo managed by allowing them to appoint an attorney to vote for them. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that tho 1 rime Minister slioald, bay on Tuesday next, inform the House what he proposed to do about the General Election. He thought it would be unfair to ask the Prime Minister to give an answer that night. It could hardly be conceived ac possible that these men who had gone °. ufc ?! t Jat «°ts to fight for the Empire should be deprived of their right to vote on the question of politics and the licensing law. He was favourable to an opportunity being afforded to them to vote on both questions if it was decided to hold the elections before the end of December. Ihe subject, however, was of such importance that he thought every member should be giveh an opportunity of thinking the matter out. Mr. Dickson, member for Parnell, presented a petition from a number of men encamped at Auckland urging that they should be given an opportunity of recording their votes while they are absent with the Expeditionary Force. The Prime Minister said he need not assure Mr. Buick and members generally that the Government had no desire to disfranchise numbers of the Expeditionary Force. If it was possible to allow them the privilege of voting the Government would be glad to give it. The matter was under the consideration of Ilia Government, and he hoped to be able to make a statement in regard to it in a very few days. "Won't it be 1 too late, then?" asked a member. "I don't think so," replied Mr. Mas« sey. "The proposal presents difficulties, some of which I think are insuperable. As to making a statement about the general elections, that was even more aifncult. He did not think he would be nbta to make a statement on Tuesday next, but he would do it as soon as possible. Unless there were serious difficulties in the way the elections would be held at the ordinary date. That was his opinion at the moment. He would inform the House of the Government's intentions as soon as possible. Sir Joseph Ward said he did noj> want to press the Government unduly, but the all-important question was whether the elections are to bo held this year. On that point there ought to be no difficulty on the part of the Government in giving an answer next week.