BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 279, 4 May 1915, Page 8

BAY OF ISLANDS SEAT.

KLIXTION PETITION. . By Telegraph.—Press Association. Kaikuho, Jiav .'t. Tlh> hearing of (lie Bay (if Islands iIL-i't.ion petition lias concluded. In his aiMn.-is Mi', Kn-d. K.C., availed for respondent Unit there could be no corni|.l practice without corrupt intention. Tlie evidence in Jaccntho's case wan very sdlghl, aad suggested that .lacouiho artod from a personal motive. It was inconceivable that a candidate would have been so foolish as to permit the approach by anyone of Wilkinson or nis agent. Underlying the action of both Mr. Massey and respondent was the. d■•• ■sire to help the party. All that was done was done before Wilkinson was announced as a candidate. Was Johnson not solely the agent of Mr. He would not have moved one inch for respondent. Sir John Findlay said the judges were asked to say whether it was legal for tho party in ascendancy for the time being to remove opposition from that party's candidate by giving an opponent a seat in the Upper House involving the payment of ,tl4oo and other emoluments. It was far from being a legitimate and proper thing when parties came before a democratic constituency for the Premier, the sitting member or anyone else to .endeavor to remove from the' contest by means of a bribe of a seat in tho Council the candidate who threatened thp supporter of tin. ascendant party at that election. Tho principle profoundly affected future elections. The retirement of Wilkinson at leant indirectly secured the return of Hoed. Keed could not procure tlie seat, but ho was a party to the promise to endeavor to secure a seat for Wilkinson. Without a utric-t rule the agency door might be opened to corrupt practices of a very serious character. Tho decision' will lie given at Auckland, probably on Friday.