ELECTION INCIDENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 249, 18 September 1933, Page 2

ELECTION INCIDENT.

BADGES WITH PORTRAIT

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 15. Because they Avore as badges miniature reproductions of a photograph of Mrs Elizabeth R. McCombs, several of tho Labour Party’s supporters Avho Avere assisting on election dav had their names taken by the police.

It is understood that there ivas no AA’ording on the front of the badge, on AA’hich the photograph Avas reproduced, but that on the back the phrase, “Vote for Mrs McCombs,” Avas printed, with a good deal of other matter. Copies ol tho badge Avere secured by the police. Superintendent D. J. Cummings said that tho measures taken ivere purely precautionary. No consideration had been given to the question ot Avliether action should be taken.

The Electoral Act, 1927, lists a number of offences at elections.

Every person, it states, is liable to a fine not exceeding £2O avlio at an election—

“(1) In any Avay interferes Avith any elector, either in. the polling booth oi Avhile on his way thereto, Avith the intention of influencing him or advising him a.s to his vote; or “(2) Prints or distributes or delivers to any person on the day of the poll, or at any time during the three days immediately preceding the poll,, anything being or purporting to be in imitation of any ballot paper to be used at tlie poll and having thereon the names of the candidates, together Avith any direction or indication as to lioav any person should vote, or in a.ny Avay containing any such direction or indication, or having thereon any matter likely to influence any vote; or “(3) During the hours in which the poll is being taken makes any public demonstration having reference to the poll by means of living figures, effigies, paintings, placards, or other like means.”