LEGAL SHAFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 209, 4 September 1929, Page 9

LEGAL SHAFTS.

"MISCHIEVOUS" COMPETITION. TILT AT MAGISTRATES. There were some bright interludes in the legal contest in the Devonport appeal case affecting the Motor Omnibus Act, 1921), before the Supreme Court to-day. Mr. Stanton, after reciting the general interpretation of the law on the question, said, "And now. may we ask, what was the purpose of the Act?" His Honor (smiling): To destroy competition, I presume! Counsel, accepting the remark in genial spirit, stated that it was the "mischief" of competition with established services which needed regulation aimed at by the Act. This had been conceded by Mr. Justice Adams as being a necessary remedy. Counsel said it would be difficult to make a logical distinction between running to races, football, or even instituting a passenger service to cope with late night shopping if the defendants were within their rights. l It would make for wholesale evasion of the Act. "This is the third case- on appeal brought to the Supreme Court." added Mr. Stanton, "and in each other case the Court reversed the lower Court decision." Stating that the magistrates were probably taking upon themselves tiie duties which devolved upon the licensing authorities, Mr. Stanton added: "One can't help thinking that there is a certain amount of prejudice in the minds of the magistrates which prevents them realising the beneficial effects of the legislation." ■