PARLIAMENTARY SEAT NUT VACANT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 26 May 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY SEAT NUT VACANT.

H X TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, May 25. The question has been raised whether the seat of the convicted member of Parliament will become vacant. Reference to authorities make© it clear that Webb's seat cannot be declared vacant. Under the Legislature Act of 1908 it is provided that the seat of a- member of Parliament shall become vacant, amongst other reasons: "If he is a public defaulter or is convicted of any crime, punishable by death, or bj. imprisonment with hard labor for a, term of two years or upwards, or is convicted of a corrupt practice.'' As the crime for which Webb faa« been convicted is that of seditious utterance, punishable by imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or by a fine not exceeding £100, the member for Grey doee not come within the scope of the foregoing provision. It seems clear, therefore, that he will retain his seat during hie imprisonment, unless he choosee to resign. Moreover, the offence for which Webb has been convicted ranks as a misdemeanor rather than a crime, and consequently does not come within the provisions of the Act cited above