SOLDIERS' FRANCHISE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17112, 18 March 1919, Page 6

SOLDIERS' FRANCHISE.

MEN WITHOUT VOTES. MORE STRONG PROTESTS. "MINISTERIAL BUNGLING."

Hie question of the disfranchisement of a number of returned soldiers was discussed at a well-attended meeting of the Auckland Squadron of the Legion of Frontiersmen last evening. Sergeant S. W. Smith outlined the position, and after considerable criticism 01 the Government's action in the matter had been heard, the meeting passed a resolution " demanding emphatically that all returned soldiers now disfranchised owing to Ministerial bungling bo allowed tho right to vote on the liquor or any other question affecting national efficiency." In proposing the motion, Mr. J. Pulling said it was an illuminating illustration of Government methods when the ActingPrime Minister admitted making a mistake and then expressed his sorrow that Cabinet was unable to rectify it. In seconding the motion. Sergeant I. Hutchinson criticised''Ministerial inaction in this matter, and contended that any man who was fit to fight was fit to vote. The executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association decided last evening to send a further protest to Sir James Allen against the disfranchisement of oyer 300 returned men. It is the intention of the executive to arrange for public meetings if justice is not done. Several ways for restoring the right to vote were mentioned. One of these, it was stated, was to cancel the men's discharges and to place them on leave without pay. The opinion was expressed that if the Government adhered to the stand taken up by Sir James Allen, it can only be duo to an unwillingness to allow the men to vote.