Mr Isitt and the Ballot Papers.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 252, 23 November 1903, Page 2

Mr Isitt and the Ballot Papers.

In the House of Representatives on Saturday, The Public Petitions' Committee reported on tho petition ol the Rev. F. W. Tsitt and others praying for an ■ enquiry into the extraction of ballot papers in the recent Licensing Committee election. The report was to the effect that Mr isitt was in possession of a stolen ballot paper, ami refused to say how he got it. Mr Fowlds said that not one nieiiibei'of the Committee was of opinion that Mr Isitt had taken the voting paper. It had been given to him under a pledge of secrecy.

Mr Taylor contended that gross carelessness was shown in connection with these papers, and any person who took risks to point it out was a public benefactor, but to argue upon these lines to tho Committee was to cast pearls before swine Mr McGowan said no one could (leleiid the position token up by Mi Jsitt ,n regard to the ballot pajiers. I he debate was continued after the luncheon adjournment. At JSJO r> m Mr James Allen moved, " The pre! vuius question," with a view of bringing the debate to a close The division resulted in a tie 31 on each side, and the Speaker gave his casting vote against tha continuance of the debate.

Ihe motion that th 0 report of the Committee lie on the table and" referred to the Government for conwclorautm, and that the report, with asieou to on tb« iroicej^