LAW STUDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1926, Page 9

LAW STUDENTS.

FEWER COMING FORWARD. POSITION IN WELLINGTON. (By Telegraph. -Parliamentary Reporter.i WELLINGTON, this day. It is apparent that the regulations gazetted two months ago under the Law Practitioners Act, 1908, lengthening the law course, are having their effect. To-day, Mr. G. Robinson, registrar of Victoria University College, stated' that the number of students entering on their first year subjects in 1926 was lower than last year. At the same 4ime, the drop was not entirely due to the regulations, but to the fact that a number of students were now taking fewer subjects. In the total there were 411 students in attendance at all law classes at the University, or, rather, the names on the rolls of twelve law classes totalled 411, and practically all would be counted several times oyer.

Property (part one class), torts, and criminal law have all fallen considerably, while contracts are also down. The present year's rolls are given thus, with last year's figures in brackets: —Property (part one), 53 (75); torts, 32 (57); criminal law, 31 (54)>; contract, 38 (4S). Most of the. other classes arc about the same, thougl jurisprudence, constitutional history, property, evidence and procedure all show a slight increase.

It is the first year subjects, however, which would show a drop in law students, consequent upon the lengthening of the course, and in all of these the four subjects are being studied by fewer undergraduates. It is just possible for a student commencing work this year to complete his degree before the regulations touch him, but the new provisions which come into force on December 1 next would apply to him unless he had matriculated in the University of New Zealand by July 1 next, or before, March 1 last, had passed two law subjects, or had obtained provisional matriculation under the University regulations, and had had it confirmed . prior to January 1 last.

There is "a shortage ■of law clerks alrfeady. One legal firm, which usually receives six or eight applications from young men jus* commencing their course has this year received' none, and has had some difficulty in obtaining anyone.