THE FRANCHISE

Evening Star, Issue 16196, 18 August 1916, Page 6

THE FRANCHISE

PROLONGATION OP PARLIAMENT.

SIR E. CARSON'S FAIRNESS,

DEMOCRATIC CONTENTION.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Gable Association.

t « tr c August 16. in the House of Commons, on the second reading of the Register Bill, Sir E. Carson said that if a General Election were held during the war period the Parliament so elected would have to conduct tho peace negotiations and frame the after-war policy. The men with the colors', and also workers in munition factories and soldiers at homo would be disfranchised. Yet these had a special claim for a voice in (he peace terms and the after-war policy. He insisted upon pressing for a Bill providing the machinery which would enable them to vote. He saw no difficulty about soldiers on the field polling. Australia, New Zealand, and British Columbia made arrangements for that. Professor Hcwins advocated a simile "adult suffrage for the Parliament of reconstruction.

Mr Asquith deprecated reviving futilo controversies when the armies were'approaching victory. It was necessary to secure a better register without delay, and devote attention to the working out, of the scheme upon which to create a Parliament after the war with adequate powers for its great responsibilities. He agreed that the soldiers and sailors should be consulted in the composition of- Parliament, but at present that'was impossible. The Government's new register was intended to continue only for the war period and a few transitional months after ihe war.

Several members supported Sir E. Carson's suggestion that the Government should introduce a separate Bill after tho recess, enabling soldiers' and sailors' claims to be' discussed.

Mr Bonar Law promised that the Government would not proceed with tho Bill further.

Thereupon the Autumn Session Bill whs read a second time, and tho Prolonged Parliament Bill was similarly dealt with.

Sir E. Carson gave notice of amendments reducing the eight months' extension to six months, and also providing that if (.he General Election occurs ,on the old register the new Parliament's life be for only two years.

A memorial service was recently he'd at St. Paul's Cathedral, ! onclon for thn officers and men who lost their livas in tha recent North Saa battle Tha captain of H.M.S. Warrior, which play 3d such a gallant part in tha fi'aht Is tJspictSE! sympathise;? witP; vdclows. '