POLICE AND POLITICS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 702, 30 November 1933, Page 5

POLICE AND POLITICS

AN ELECTION INCIDENT CAUSES DISCUSSION IN HOUSE BADGE TORN OFF (Special to "Post") Wellington, Wednesday. What right had Police Inspector Cameron to remove an election badge from a man's coat outside a polling booth during the Lyttelton by-elec-tffin? This is a question which has been raised in the House by Labour members. Mr. Peter Fraser (Wellington Central) told the House that he wore a photograph of Mrs. McComhs as a badge on election day and gave a similar one to a friend. _ "I left hina, not knowing he was going to suffer what was a technical' assault' hy a police officer," said Mr. Fraser. He explained that next day he accompanied the individual concerned to complain to Superintendent Cummings, who said th© matter would ho inquired into, and there might be action against those who wore the badge. - . Mr. C. L. Carr (Labour, Timaru), said that he was not far away from the scene of the incident, and he believed Inspector Cameron exceeded his duty in snatching the badge from the man concerned. Mr. D. G. Sullivan ( Labour, Avon) described the whole of the police officer's action as "silly," and said it was a tribute to the Labour candidate that her photograph could influenee the poll. Mr. Sullivan suggested that, knowing- Superintendent Cummings would not take such drastic action, instructions had come from headquarters. The Minister pointed out that headquarters had no knowledge of an intention to wear the badge, and thus could not have given the instructions. .The Department had received advice from the Crown Law Office that the wearing of the badge was a breach of the law, but no prosecution would Be launched.