JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21147, 24 April 1934, Page 7

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

TELESCOPE. April 23. 1934.

TO THE EniTOK Of THE PRESS. Sir,—lt would be interesting to know on what grounds the National Council of Women, of New Zealand, (which association, by the way, certainly does not represent all women of New Zealand), passed a remit, to the efTeet

that representation should be made to the Minister for Justice, about the desirability of submitting names of those intended for appointment as Justices of the Peace, to the National Council of Women. It was also mentioned, that such appointments were made to personal friends of members of Parliament, or awarded for some political service. Surely the council must know that on submission of any person's name for a Commission of the Peace, credentials must also be forwarded, and these are later verified by the Police Department, approved by the Minister for Justice, and finally confirmed by his Excellency the Governor-General. In these circumstances, it does not seem likely that the person who has the honour to be appointed to a Commission oC the Peace is not qualified for that position. The Department of Justice, is not influenced by class, creed, politics, or organisations, and to suggest that the Minister for Justice should consult any organisation before appointments are made, is not very complimentary to that minister, who most assuredly is capable of man- I aging his. own department.—Yours, ETHEL WILLIAMS, j ■April 23. 1034. I ]