A CRY FOR JUSTICE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 113, 5 February 1908, Page 6

A CRY FOR JUSTICE.

In response to complaints made to The Dominion, a representative of this paper yesterday investigated tile procedure of the Native Land Court now sittih# lierej : and inquired froii Native litigants in attendance their views concerning the justice meted out. to them. The result of his inquiries will he found elsewhere, and tee do not think it will be regarded as disclosing a satisfactory condition of things. .The ' Natives plainly are dissatisfied. They.complain that during the proceedings they frequently are in complete Ignorance of what is taking place, and there'appears to be a very strong feeling of discontent growing up amongst them.' It would seem that much of the trouble Would he Overcome if the Court possessed a fiotupetent interpreter who would interpret the evidence and addresses as the proceedings progressed, and if more Care were taken to let the parties to actions know when their particular cases were to come before the Court for hearing. We understand that an official interpreter is sometimes dispensed with for reasons of economy;-a very shortsighted and improper policy. No man, be he Native or European, can be .expected to accept ttnquestionihgly an adverse decision from a court of justice : when he is unable to understand the' evidence or legal argument which has led. to the' unfavourable < judgment. We do hot wish to dwell on the matter unduly. - Enough has been said to show the Justice Department that some mea: sure of reform is : needed ,'if the confidence of the Natives in the Court as court of justice is to be retained. '