CANDIDATES, BEWARE!

Temuka Leader, Issue 1628, 1 September 1887, Page 4

CANDIDATES, BEWARE!

The time has probably arrived when it becomes desirable that we should remind electors and Parliamentary candidates that there is such a thing as a Corrupt Practices Act in operation. Our reason for doing this is, not that we consider the electors or candidates in the present struggle worse than their predecessors, hut that we remember that many of the provisions of the Act in question are extremely stringent—and successful candidates may find themselves ousted, and electors mulcted in fines, for actions which they did not consider wrong. The object of the Corrupt Practices Act is apparently to put all candidates upon an equal footing, preventing, as far as possible, the wealthy man from having an advantage over his poorer antagonist. To effect this, all lavish expenditure is forbidden; candidates may not treat electors, or cause them to be treated; may not have committee-rooms in licensed houses; may not have cards or posters printed announcing their candidature; may not employ paid canvassers; may not engage vehicles to carry electors to the poll, or pay steamer or railway fares for electors to the place of voting. It is dangerous also for a candidate to give, and for an elector to receive, any indirect favor or promise of benefit to be conferred, which could be construed into affecting the bestowal of a vote. The Act we take to be an excellent one. It does its best to throw Parliamentary honors open to all, irrespective of money power; and this is as it should be under our Democratic institutions. At the same time its provisions are so far reaching that it is absolutely necessary that at least every candidate should examine thein carefully.— Southern Standard.