THE LIQUOR REFERENDUM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 223, 14 June 1919, Page 10

THE LIQUOR REFERENDUM

. ALLEGED IMITATION , BALLOT , . PAPERS. . ■ By Tcjeeraph-Press Association. - Auckland, June 13. . The distribution of fiinhll cards'alleged to havo- been printed in imitation of the licensing ballot; papers, showing tho bottom line struck out, ami used outside booths at tho licensing elections in April last, resulted in n number of peoplo being charged, at tho Magistrate's (,'ourt this morning. Tho charges were brought under, three separate headings, this first being laid under 'section 157, sub-section (a), of the. Legislature Act, 1908. which provides against interference with voters on the wny to the polls by advising. them how lo net; the second charge was that, of having delivered a paper lo a voter purporting to be an imitation of the ballot 'paper, which was brought under sub-section (b) of section 157 of the same Act, while the third charge was that of having published a paper containing a printed instruction, entitled "How to Voto," on which' the ■imme and place of the printer were not shown as. reduired by the Printers and Act, 1908. Mr. ITacketl; appeared for all the defendants.

The facts [ronerally wore agreed upon between counsel for the defence and the mrtsecuHOn. It was shown that the defendants had been at several booths around thfi cily, wliero they had mi.d small cards. In giving voters their numbers from Dip. electoral roll, the practice was to -ivrito tho number on the back of a, tytrd, .and hand it to tho villi , ; , . ■•.,.'

The Magistrate said there was no doubt about I he law under the Legislature Act, and ■Unit an offence hud been committed. Those;. who had committed a breach under this Act would be fined .£3 each and costs. Willi regard to the charge under the Printers and Xowspapers liegisl ration Act decision would be reserved iii order that legal 'argument wight be heard.