JUSTICES OF PEACE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 85, 11 April 1945, Page 6

JUSTICES OF PEACE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES WELCOMED The annual conference of the Federation of New Zealand Justices of the Peace Associations was opened to-day in the boardroom of the Farmers' Trading Company, when visiting delegates and deputies from all parts of the Dominion were welcomed by Mr. J. B. Paterson, a vice-president, on behalf of the Auckland association, and by Mr. H. W. Shortt, president of the federation. Hloral shoulder sprays were presented to several women deputies and visitors, and the visitors were also welcomed on behalf of the citizens by the deputyMayor, Mr. L. Coakley, who attended in company with the town clerk, Mr. T. W. M. Ashby. An apology for non-attendance was received from the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mason. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr. Allum, the deputy-Mayor, Mr. J. L. Coakley, extended a welcome to the visiting justices and declared the conference opened. "You have ail given unstintingly of your services to the community," he said. "As justices of the peace you hold honourable offices in the administration of the laws of the Dominion. You are men and women of ripe experience, and when ripe experience is coupled with sound judgment, given freely for the benefit of the people, it makes a contribution to our national way of life that cannot be measured in known terms, because it preserves for us the very foundation on which our national life rests —I mean justice, the eternal principles of justice, and, with justice, liberty. Mr. Coakley said the present were times which would go down in history as the most remarkable of any age. The advent of peace would bring with it many new problems. Victory would not bring back a complete return to 1939 standards of economic and social life. There would be adjustments and changes and a substantial measure of reconstruction. Justices would be called upon to assist by their experience and wisdom. There would have to be a spirit of Christian tolerance and a recognition and understanding of newer ideals. Particularly would that apply to the younger people. From them would be drawn later the leaders in various walks of life. He emphasised the desirability of directing the thoughts of the justices to those matters, and he trusted they would find time to give some attention to them. This afternoon officers for the ensuing year will be elected, and in the evening a social will be given to visitors and delegates, at which Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., will be the guest of honour.