JUSTICES' COURTS?

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 68, 20 March 1936, Page 14

JUSTICES' COURTS?

HELPING MAGISTRATES

REMIT FAVOURED

The establishment of Justice of the Peace Courts in the four main centres, to relieve the work of Magistrates, was favoured by delegates to the annual conference of the Federation of New Zealand Justices Associations yesterday afternoon, the following remit being carried:—

"That the federation is anxious to assist to the utmost the lessening of the burden at present imposed on Stipendiary Magistrates, and suggests that the establishing of Justice of the Peace Courts in the four centres be considered."

Although there were more Magistrates, their work was increasing, said Mr. H. F. Herbert (Canterbury), and Justices could take the smaller cases and leave the more important to the Magistrates.

Mr. A. Williams (Canterbury) said that Magistrates were overworked in the larger centres. Justices could take the more trivial cases, such as radio licences and petty bylaws.

Mr. D. Donaldson (Auckland) opposed the remit, saying that there had been gradual curtailment of the work of Justices, average Justice, he said, was coming to be looked upon with scorn. If Justices committed some of the grave mistakes in justice that had been committed by higher powers the Press throughout the country would be crying out against them. Justices were just as competent to decide on a question of facts as a man sitting in high places.

Mr. H. W. Shortt (Wellington) resented the remark that the average Justice in the Dominion was being looked upon with scorn. In Wellington there were four Magistrates, and when they were overworked Justicas took the Courts. He did not think it was necessary that Justice of the Peace Courts should be established in Wellington.

Mr. A. Rosser (North Otago) thought that such Courts would be training for many Justices who did not nt present sit on the Bench.