“DON’T” OR BE FINED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16904, 1 December 1922, Page 6

“DON’T” OR BE FINED.

ELECTION WARNINGS. The Legislature Act, 1908, and it* amendments contain a pretty formidable list of “Don’ts” in the way of warnings to candidates, candidates' agents, and electors, about the things they must not do at election time. One interesting section relates to what is termed ‘ influencing electors.” This clause says: ‘Every person .4? liable to a fine not exceeding £2O who at an election in anv way interferes with any elector, either in the polling booth or while on his way with the intention of influencing him or advising him as to his vote ; or who 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 o»- purporting to be any imitation of any ballot paper to be used at the poll and having thereon the names of the candidates, together with any direction or indication as to how' any person should vote; or in any way containing any snch direction or indication : or having thereon any matter likely to influence any vote ; or 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.” Another clause, which was evidently framed f*-v the purpose of discouraging vitriolic and unfounded remarks and publications about opposing candidates, declares that “every person is liable to a fine not exceeding £SO or to imprisonment for any period not exceeding three months who at any time between the issue of the writ and the close of the poll publisher or exposes or causes to be published or exposed to public view any document or writing or printed matter containing any untrue statement defamatory *•> any candidate and calculated to influence the vote of any elector.”