BRITISH ELECTORAL LAWS.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14406, 17 May 1917, Page 11

BRITISH ELECTORAL LAWS.

FRxiNCHISE BILL INTRODUCED,

SPEAKER'S CONFERENCE RESO-

LTJTIONS EMBODIED.

(Australian and N.Z. C&ble Association)

(Received May 16, 6.40 p.m.)

London, May 15

In the House of Commons, Mr Long, •in introducing the Franchise:, Bill, said at adhered rigidly to bhe recommenda-j tions of) the Speaker's Conference, and removed the mysterious qualification for male franchise. The franchise conBißte of two simple qualifications,.name--ly, residence for six months and occupation of business premises of an annual value of £10.? Proportional repre- i mentation was included in1 a limited form. The Bill simplified the machinery for registration, arid dealt with redistrihjiition in accordance v/ith the Conference recommendations. The Boundaries Commission was already sitting. The Bill provided that all elections ehould take place on the same day. The introduction of such a controversial measure was justified, because it was agreed that an election was impossible until the fighters were enfranchised. Moreover, the Imperial Conference had proved the magnitude and urgency of Imperial problems after the war, and they must first set their house in order. The Bill enfranchises women at the age of 30, and gives a vote to soldiers and sailors.