BRITISH ELECTORAL REFORM

Nelson Evening Mail, 17 May 1917, Page 3

BRITISH ELECTORAL REFORM

FRANCHISE DIED INTRODUCED. (Australian aiid N.Z. GabU Association.) EONDON, May 15. l'\ the House of Commons, Mr Long, in introducing the Franchise Bill, said it adhered rigidly to the recommendations of the Speaker's Conference, and removed the mysterious qualification for male franchise. The franchise consists of two simple qualifications, namely, residence, for eix months and occupation of business premises of an annual \alue of £lO. Proportional representation was included in a limited form. The Bill simplified the machinery for ieg:strat.ion,.and dealt with redistribution in accordance with the Conference _ recommendations. The Boundaries Commission was already sitting. The Bill ; vovided that all elections should r lf.v-e on the same day. The introd-i .ton o! such a controversial measare w rt < jvs.iified. because it was agreed that :m coition was impossible until the fichters were enfranchised. Moreover, the Imperial Conference had proved the nn,-.;i'i-jude and urgency of Imperial problems after the war, and they must fi«'-i -ct their house in order. I The Bill enfranchises women at the I age of 30, and g'ves a vote to soldiers and sailc~s.