Requirements Of Jury Service

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30471, 19 June 1964, Page 2

Requirements Of Jury Service

A move to make women better acquainted with the requirements of jury service has been started by the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women.

The branch agreed unanimously last, evening to sponsor an open meeting for women, at which a lawyer or justice of the peace will be asked to explain procedure. This will be followed up by a visit to the Supreme Court while it is sitting. The Dominion president of the council (Mrs W. Grant) told tbe meeting that it had been said that more than 90 per cent of the women called for service would probably contract out under a provision in the amended act. “It could be fear of the unknown that prevents women from coming forward to serve/’ Mrs Grant- said.

hard for many years to get jury service for women on the same basis as for men, she said. She suggested a lecture or series of lectures on jury service, followed up by a visit to court. Seek Support Mrs Grant suggested that delegates should seek the support of their organisations for the scheme. “If we could work it. out adequately throughout New Zealand I think a good many women would be willing to accept responsibility,” she said. Miss R. Mason suggested that the possibility of some kind of television coverage on the matter should be investigated, When a speaker asked if it was true that women were usually challenged when called in court for service, Mrs E. B. Dalmer said: “The thing

Women’s apparent apathy was of deep concern to the council, which had worked

is to advance rapidly to the jury box as soon as your name is called and set one foot firmly into it before the word ‘challenge’ is out.” “And you should not look too intelligent, it seems,” said Mrs Grant.

The meeting left It to the executive to arrange a date and a speaker for the meeting.