MARKED CARDS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20412, 5 December 1931, Page 14

MARKED CARDS.

election day COMPLAINT. CHRISTCHURCH EAST AND RICCARTON. A complaint has been made to The Press that at the General Election on Wednesday marked cards were issued to electors on behalf of Mr 11. S. S. Kyle in Riccarton, and of Mr H. T. Armstrong in Christchurch East. Tho cards handed to many Riccarton electors before they entered the booths were each inscribed:—■ H. S. S. KYLE, Official Coalition Government Candidate Roll No. M.(ain) S. (uppl ementary) Mr Kyle explained yesterday that the cards were not issued with his authority, but by a member of his committee who had not consulted him. As soon as he discevcred that the cards were being handed out, ho had them withdrawn. The cards issued in Christchurch East were marked with the single word "Armstrong" on one side. Mr Armstrong said last night that he had no comment to make beyond that he had done nothing dissimilar from what was done at any other election. Provisions of the Act. Clause A, Section 161 of the Electoral Act (1927) declares that >c Every person is liable to a fine not exceeding £2O who at an election — "(a) In any way interferes with any elector, either in the polling booth or while on his way thereto, with the intention of influencing him or advising him as to his vote-" Section 179 of the Act states: "An election shall not be declared invalid by reason of any irregularity in any of the procedeings preliminary to the polling .... if it appears to the Court having cognisance of the question that the election was conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in this Act, and tnat such irregularity, failure, or mistake did not affect the result of the election." Mr Armstrong had .a substantial majority at the polls and Mr Kyle's majority was over 500 votes.

NATIONAL ECONOMY. COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY SUGGESTED. (raess association tiliosau.) WELLINGTON, December 4. In an interview to-day, Mr Bowden, chairman of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, said that tho Coalition Government practically asked the electors to give it a free hand. It had been given that and the people now expected decisive and practical action. The Chambers would stand behind any endeavour of tho Government .to reduce the rigidly high coats witk which New Zealand was burdened. Commercial men and men on tho farms we.'e calling for action. The people had given tho Government a blank cheque and it was for the Government to fill it in. He said that the Government should immediately appoint a National Economy Commission with instructions to prepare an adequate plan for adjusting national and local requirements to the ability of the country to provide means. RUMOUR DENIED. (FKISS ASSOCIATION TILXaBAU.) WELLINGTON, December 4. A rumour circulated >in th© South Island that the Post and Telegraph Employees' Association had carried by postal ballot a motion in favour of expending £IOOO upon propaganda of a political nature and that the money had been used to support Labour candidates was denied to-day by the general secretary of the Association, Mr J. H. McKenzie. • PLURAL VOTING. SUSPECTED. i • [THE PBESB Special Service.] AUCKLAND, December 4. Several cases of suspected plural voting have been revealed during the scrutiny of the electoral rolls *in certain Auckland constituencies. In at least two cases the returning officers have asked the police to institute enquiries. In other cases members of the electoral staff are themselves asking the voters for an explanation.