CRIMINAL CASES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21391, 6 February 1935, Page 4

CRIMINAL CASES

EVILS OF DELAY MENTIONED BY CHIEF JUSTICE (PRBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) PALMERSTON N~ February 5. "It is a fundamental part of the traditions of the British Judiciary that criminal cases should never be postponed unless of necessity. This is unavoidable because every person charged is deemed innocent until proved guilty. Consequently the liberty of the subject is involved. It is part of our system that a person should not be kept in custody or be on bail in suspense for any longer period than is necessary." These observations were made by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, in the Supreme Court to-day. Sir Michael was referring to the necessity for breaking up the session in Palmerston North because of his having to return to Wellington, where, he said, some difficulty had All criminal cases there would not be disposed of this week, and there would not otherwise be a judge available to take them next week. His Honour said that he regretted being unable to deal with the whole work here in a continuous sitting, but the delay would not be long. He would see that no inconvenience was caused to litigants, witnesses, or counsel.