QUESTION OF A GENERAL ELECTION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXI, Issue 16690, 21 July 1916, Page 5

QUESTION OF A GENERAL ELECTION.

LONDON, July 19. In the House of Commonsythe Right Hon. H. Samuel moved that the Registration Committee report on the preparation of the new electoral register, including the troops. The cost urquM be £300,000, and would necessiate 20,000 canvassers. He deprecated the idea of a general election in war time. It was unlikely that Germany would grant an armistice to enable the troops to vote.

Sir Edward Carson protested against the opera bouffe manner in which Mr. Samuel treated the matter, and deprecated the belief that a general election was impossible in war time. The question of giving soldiers a vote aad been solved in Australia and Canada. The proposed committee was a farce. Mr. Churchill described Mr. Samuel's speech as one long sneer. The Right Hon. H. H. Asquith said that in view of the criticisms he would withdraw the motion. He denied that the Government intended to delegate to the committee the • decision as to whether a general election was desirable in September, when the present Parliament ends. He promised that the Government would consider the matter, and, if possible, bring concrete proposals before ihe House.