Series GR-0872 - Commission Regarding Campaign Funds (1927)

Appointed February 23, 1927; report dated April 6, 1927. Commissioners: Mr. Justice Aulay Morrison, of the Supreme Court; Rev. James S. Henderson, D.D., and W. H. Malkin, both of Vancouver. The commission was appointed as the outcome of a Dominion royal commission investigating matters connected with the Customs Department, which revealed that liquor interests had made large contributions for campaign funds to both political parties in British Columbia. This matter was investigated further by a Select Standing Committee of the Legislature and four specific charges, arising from campaign contributions, were reported. The commissioners were appointed to investigate the four specific charges: that an increase in the price of beer was in response to campaign contributions, that contributions had an effect in bringing about legislation authorizing the sale of beer by the glass, that undue prices had been paid by the Liquor Control Board for liquor, that "assurance and protection" was contracted for and delivered by any political party or public official to any campaign contribution.