APPOINTMENT OF J.P'S

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19724, 14 September 1929, Page 23

APPOINTMENT OF J.P'S

HOW IT IS DONE. [THE F&ESS Special Service] WELLINGTON, September 13. The methods adopted in the appointment of Justices of the Peace were explained to the House of Eepresentatives to-day by the Minister for Justice (the Hon. Mr Wilford). The Minister said he made it a practice to appoint three Justices in every electorate, the names being submitted to the respective Member of Parliament for approval. If someone was appointed who was open to severe criticism, he expected the member to defend the appointment. A Reform member: Have you any objection to women being appointed? "None whatever," replied the Minis ter, who added" that he himself had appointed several women. There were 5000 Justices of the Peace in New Zealand to-day. The task of compiling the list was a long and tedious one; in fact, it had taken four months after the names had been sent in to get the last list out. The acceptance of the appointee was necessary in every case, and the trouble had been that some - d failed to answer. When a local authority or i private individual recommended the appointment of anybody the Member of Parliament for the district was consulted. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Coates) pointed out that inconvenience had been caused in some districts where the death of a Justice had occurred and the vacancy had not been filled until the next batch of appointments was made. The Minister: Where a death occurs another Justice can be appointed before the next list is ready. Mr J. Bitchener, Beform member for Waitaki, said that a Justice was required at Kurow, where a public works camp had been established. At present the residents were put to great inconvenience. The Minister: I will give you one. Mr Bitchener thanked the Minister for his prompt action.