ILLEGAL PRACTICES DEFINED

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 271, 18 November 1919, Page 6

ILLEGAL PRACTICES DEFINED

HEiVY PENALTIES AND' DIS-

QUALIFICATION

The fact that Parliament, in order to limit expenditure on election campaigns, has imposed severe penalties for certain practices appeals to haive ben overlooked in connecton with the the present campaign. Itf seems expedient, therefore, to direct public attention to the clauses relating to corrupt and illegal practices, as defined in the Legislature Act, 1908, This Act prohibits 1. The employoient of. paid committoemen or canvassers.

2. Payment for the conveyance of electors to or from the poll. 3. " Any payment or contract for payment. (a.) For bands, torches _ flags,, banners, cockades^ ribbons, or other marks of distinc-

tion. (b) .. For. exhibiting _ bills, addresses, or notices, or for thv> use of any house, building, erection, place, board, or thing for the purpose of a ; ny such exhibition. Eivery person, who makes f any payment or contract for payment .in breach of lliis section, either before, during*, or after an election, commits an illegal practice, and any persons being a party to any such contracts, or receiving such payment, also commits an illegal practice.

Clause 223 p-ohibits payments being made in respect of the conduct of .an election "by any agent on behaiioi'the candidate, or by any other person, at any time, whether before, during, or after ,the election. ...... All money provided by any person other than the; candidate for any expense incurred, whether as gift, loan, advance, or deposit, shall bo paid to or on the order of the candidate, and not. otherwise." : Tlie penalties are very severe. For a corrupt practice a, fine not exceeding £5001, and for an illegal practice £100. In addition an Election Cburt may order tihat the person so convicted shall for the period of three years be incapable oif voting at any election for any- public office; also* from holding any public or judicial ■office.. > The person: adjudged guilty •of any corrupt or illegal practice may also be ordered to pay the cost of tihe prosecution. Proceedings may be initiated by any person who voted, or had a right to vote at the election, or by any candidate.