ALLEGED STUFFING THE ROLLS.

North Otago Times, 26 May 1908, Page 4

ALLEGED STUFFING THE ROLLS.

Per Press Association.

Ashburton, May 23,

A monster no-liccnso demonstration is being held this ovening, tnk ng tho form of n tea meeting, followed by a mass meeting, addressed by Mr T. E, Taylor and the Jte'v, Atkinson. In tho coarse of a conversation with a piuirdian representative this morning, Mr Taylor said that during the last few years a considerable number of nppli-' cations for enrolment had been put into tho registrar's office of one of tho city of Cliristehureh electorates, all of which were made out in one handwriting, and tho- signatures to allot which wero -in ,onc handwriting, and signatures to all ,of which were, in the, absence of expert evidence, anil of proof to the-Contrary; signed by'oho per-' son, that is, under •different:- nnmes, but in the snino .handwriting. " Tho occurrence naturally" attracted attention of the officials," said Mr Taylor, " und'lhc mutter }w been referred to the Wellington authorities, with a rouuest Hint ' instruction may be given the local registrar to proceed for breach, .of. the Electoral Act," Mr Taylor added, "So far as I eon us-. certain the "matter is still under consideration in Wellington, I bcliovo I nm right in saying that all of these applications for enrolment wei'e witnessed by-a publican. We have- so often suspected corruption in tho elecloial rolls that action in this matter is of vital importaneo to us. at this stngo of tho campaign, and wc intend,, if possible, to sco that tho Government shall take prompt and thotough action to deal with the matter, If tho no-license parly were suspected of similar misconduct the wholo of the litiuor interest- in the Dominion wouid demand prompt and vigorous punishment,"'