ILLEGAL PRACTICES DEFINED

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 43, 14 November 1919, Page 8

ILLEGAL PRACTICES DEFINED

TIVAYY PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATION. The fact that Parliament, in order to limit expenditure oa election campaigns, has imposed severe penalties for certain practices a ppears to have been overlooked in , connection with the present campaign. It scorns exveuicnt, therefore, .to direct public attention to the clauses relatina- to corrupt and illegal practices, as defined in the Legislature Act, 1006. This Act prohibits: jI. The tmploymcnt of .paid committee men or eimvass»is. 2. Payment for tho cnnvejiance of electors to or from the poll. 3. Any pnyment or contract for payment (a) For hands, torches, flags, banners, cockades, ribbons, or other marks of distinction, (b'l For exhibiting bills, addresses, hi , rotiess, or for the use of any house, building, erection, place; lioard or tiling for the purpose of nnv such exhibition. Everv rerson who makes any payment or contract for payment in breach of this section, cither before, curing, or after an election, commits an illegal practice, anil -'inv person being a. party to nnv such contracts, or receiving sucli payment, also commits an illegal practice.

Clause 223 prohibits payments being made in respect of the conduct of an election "bv any agent on behalf of the candidate, or by nny other person, at nnv time, whether before, during, or after Iho election. . . . All money provided bv any person other than tho candidate for any expenses incurred, whether us cift, loan, advance, or deposit, shall bn paitt.to or on the order of tho candidate, and not othonvise." The penalties are very Bovero. For a, corrupt practice a fine not exceeding £?M. and for an illegal practice, Tn addition, an Election Court may order rhat the person so convicted shall for the. period of three years bi> incapable of voting nt nny election for any public -oflU-e; ntaofroni holding any public or Judicial olnVc. The person iiiljmiged sruiltv of any corrupt or illegal practice miiv also be. ordered to pay the cost of the prosecution. Propcedinss may initiated by any ptiiwm who voted, ov had a right In vole nt the el-jelion, or by any candidate.