ABSENT SOLDIERS' VOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17307, 3 November 1919, Page 6

ABSENT SOLDIERS' VOTES.

MANY DIFFICULTIES IN WAY.

LEGISLATION PROMISED.

DIFFICULTIES OF SCHEME. *

[BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.]

WELLINGTON. Saturday.

A statement regarding provision being made for empowering soldiers not yet returned to vote at the elections was made in the House of Representatives by the' Prime Minister this evening. Mr. Massey read a communication from th e head of the Electoral Department regarding the difficulty of making any arrangements which would adequately meet the case. The letter traversed in detail the difficulties which the Prime Minister had forecasted when answering questions on the subject previously. It was stated that even where vessels were within wireless range and long lists of candidates had to be transmitted, there was a danger of the names bei(ng mutilated. There was a difficulty, however, in consequence of the boundaries of so many of the electorates having been altered. The possibility of the men voting according to parties without reference to candidates was discounted by the number of independent candidates. This was particularly so since many had declared their independence without even indicating towards which party they inclined. A similar difficulty existed in regard to the Local Option Poll. The alteration of boundaries effected since many of the men had left the Dominion rendered it almost impossible for a satisfactory vote to be cast on the local option issue.

In reply to a question, Mr. Massey said that the same difficulties did not exist in respect to the National prohibition vote, the question of electorate not entering into the issue.

The head of the Department concluded with the statement that if anything were to be done by legislation' it was a matter of urgency, since the High Commissioner would have to be advised by cable, so that .he might prepare the necessary papers, have them printed, and place them on board the transports before they left England.

Sir Joseph Ward asked how many soldiers would be affected. Sir James Allen: About 1000. Sir Joseph Ward: What about those in hospitals?

Sir James Allen: Nearly all "will be evacuated.

Mr. Massey eaid there was also the difficulty about th* return of the "writs, which would have *<i be delayed until the votes were counted. Members' payment could not commence until the writs were returned. However, he was having legislation prepared, and it would come down on Monday or Tuesday ; but he was not certain that it was worth doing.

Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) said he wished to contradict an untruthful statement that had been made to the effect that at the previous poll the Prohibition Party had done its best to prevent soldiers having the vote. That was not so. It was anxious that soldiers should, vote then, and it was equally anxious to-day.

Mr. Massey: Speaking for myself, I know of no difficulty that was put in the way.

Sir James Allen: No difficulty was placed in the way either by the Government or by either of the interested parties.