BRITISH POLITICS.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 3023, 18 August 1916, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

THK ELECTION QUESTION

SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS'

CLAIMS

[Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.]

London, August 16. In the House of Commons, on the second reading of the Register Bill, Sir Edward Carson said that if the elections were held during the war period the Parliament so elected would have to conduct peace negotiations and frame the after-war policy. Men with the colours, also munition workers and soldiers at Home and discharged had a special claim to a voice in the peace and after-war policy. He insisted in pressing for the Bill or machinery which would enable them to vote. lie saw no difficulty about soldiers iV the field polling. Australia, New Zealand and British Columbia had made arrangements for voting. Sir John Simon advocated simple adult suffrage for a Parliament of reconstruction. Mr. Asquith deprecated reviving futile controversies when the armies were approaching victory. It was necessary to secure a better register without delay and to devote attention to working out a scheme on which to create Parliament after the war adequate to the great responsibilities. Ho agreed that soldiers and sailors should be consulted in the composition of the Parliament, but at present that was impossible. Tho Government's new register was intended to continue only during the war period, and a few transitional months after tho war. Several members supported Sir Edward Carson's suggestion that the Government should introduce a separate Bill after tne recess enabling soldiers claims to be discussed. Mr. Bonar law promised that the I Government would not proceed with the Bill further before the autumn session.

The Bill was read a second time. The Prolonged Parliament Bill was read a second time. Sir Edward Carson gave notice of amendments reducing the eight months' extension to six months, also providing that if general elections occur on the old register the new Parliament's life shall be only two years..

The Overseas Parliamentarians .visited'"Belfast. At a" Mayoral luncheon it-was denied that tbe Visit was intended to dictate Trish domestic affairs. Tt was contended that the Tmnerial Parliament which was controlline the affairs of the whole Emnire, would find a solution of Irish problem.