SALARIES OF JUDGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1932, Page 7

SALARIES OF JUDGES.

CLAMOUR FOR SACRIFICE.

SIR FRANCIS BELL AS DEFENDER. INDEPENDENCE OF THE BENCH. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. In a letter to the "Dominion" newspaper, Sir Francis Bell, formerly Attorney-General, discusses the question of reduction in the salaries of judges of the Supreme Court, contending that it is beyond question in law that nothing but an Act of Parliament of the United Kingdom can empower the Government or Parliament of New Zealand to diminish the statutory salary of any judge of the Supreme Court during the tenure by that judge of office.

"But to me," adds Sir Francis, "it seems equally beyond question in principle that no such power should be exercisable. It is necessary to-day in New Zealand, as it was in the year 1700 in England, to establish complete confidence of the public that the Supreme Bench is impartial, free from any influence, and certain to give judgment in accordance with right. Such confidence can only be maintained and ensured by establishing the dignity and independence of the Bench. Judges are guardians for their successors of the principles established by the Act of Settlement.

"If judges, moved by any personal sentiments or influenced by public clamour demanding equality of sacrifice, voluntarily make any surrender of their salaries, they make it difficult, if not impossible, for their successors in office in similar circumstances to refrain from following the pi'ecedent so initiated. I trust that those who now hold the pass which separates judicial office from all other avocations — those who have accepted the place which makes them keepers of the pass—may not be induced in this crisis to surrender it."