THE INSANITARY OATH.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVI, Issue 51, 7 December 1909, Page 1

THE INSANITARY OATH.

t I. tho Oaths Bill is passed—and jfc, rms obtained a second reading in tho House of Lords—"kissing tho Book." , insanitary and undignified lonii of oath-taking, wili (says the Westminster (Jazctto') practiealy beI'Oine a tiling ol tho past. Kvory witness wiU, bo sworn with his hand uplilted unless lie voluntarily objects to being sworn in that fashion or is physically incapable of so taking the oatii. I lie witnesses who will avail themselves ni their option to "kiss the Book" will, the 'Law Journal' imagines, be even less numerous than those who have been accustomed to exercise their right to be sworn with uplifted hand. The right 'has not been exercised, our contemporary adds, because tho majority of witnesses, however groat their dislike to the insanitary oath, have been nn willing to make themselves conspicuous in a court of justice bv malting an unusual re(|iiest. With tho abolition of "kissing the. Book" in England tho insanitary oath will practically disappear from the civilised world.' In 1< ranee the judge savs: "You swear to tell t-he truth, the whole truth, and notruth?" j\nd the witness, lifting up his right hand, answers, 'f swear." In Austria tho witness says with uplifted hand: "T swear bv Cod Almighty and All-wise that I will speak the pure and full truth Mud nothing but the truth in answer to anything I mav be asked bv the Court,." Where the Bible has its appointed place in the ceremony it is touched by tho hand and -not hold to the lips.