Lawyers reject racist charges

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 6

Lawyers reject racist charges

Charges that the legal profession is as responsible as •anyone else for racism in New Zealand were rejected yeterday by the president of the Canterbury District Law Society (Mr J. A. Robertson).

Mr Robertson said that while the legal profession recognised the problem, it also recognised the problems of all members of society who were unaware of their rights, or the services available to them.

‘•Lawyers do not want a pat on the back, but they do want the facts stated fairly and accurately,” Mr Robertson said. The Canterbury District Law Society had started the duty solicitor system to help cope with the problem two years ago. he said.

Mr Robertson’s comments came in response to charges by Dr O. Sutherland, an Auckland entomologist, whose address to the New) Zealand Legal Association was reported in “The Press” yesterday. The scheme provided solicitors to assist any charged persons with free legal advice and guidance on such matters as pleas, remands, bail, and the availability of legal aid. Duty solicitors were now paid by the Govern-'

ment at criminal legal aid rates. “If a non-European needs an interpreter, the duty solicitor will make arrangements with the court. The society supports amendments to the Criminal Justice Act which require legal representation prior to any term of imprisonment,” he said.

The society also staffed legal referral centres at Sydenham, Bishopdale, Aranui, Hornby, Hoon Hay, the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Paparua Prison, and the Women’s Prison. The centres provided free legal advice and counselling for persons of any ethnic origin. The centres are staffed by about 70 society members on a voluntary basis. The society spends about $5OO annually advertising the centres, Mr Robertson said.

“On a national basis, the Law Society has appropriated $lO,OOO towards a proposed pilot neighbourhood law office in Grey Lynn in Auckland, a suburb with a large non-white population,” he said.

A discussion on “Law and the Polynesian” had been held at the society’s triennial conference in Wellington last April. Mr Robertson also said the society did not accept Dr Sutherland’s comment that I penalties were fixed on a 'racist basis.