THE HOME PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16982, 19 April 1917, Page 4

THE HOME PARLIAMENT

EXTENSION BILL. Pfeo Association—Bj Telegraph —Copyright Australian end N.Z Cable Association. LONDON, April 17. In the House of Commons, Mr Dillon-, on behalf of the Nationalists, moved the rejection of the Extension of Parliament Bill. Mr Bonar Law, replying, said that he hoped to be able to announce the Government's intentions regarding Home Rule next week. The Bill passed it 3 second reading by 286 voles to 52. At a meeting of the Nationalist party, held before the sitting of Parliament it was decided to oppose the second reading , of the Bill to extend the life of ment. NOT'A TIME FOE, ELECTIONS. LONDON, April 17. In moving the second reading of t»w Bill for the extension of Parliament, Mr Bonar Law said : " We are at the most critical phase of the war. Our success has exceeded our expectation, and has" proved the quality of our men, who, with their equipment and training, are more than a match for their opponents. It would be highly disadvantageous to the country to plunge it into the turmoil of an election and divert the energy of the nation from our one supreme object." ' A'lr Asquith said that recent by-elections had shown that only between 50 and 65 per cent, of the electors on the register were available. An election held under such conditions would be a farce and a sham, and a Parliament so elected would, possess no real authority from the nation.