ARE GRAND JURIES SUPERFLUOUS?

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 517, 26 May 1909, Page 3

ARE GRAND JURIES SUPERFLUOUS?

MR. JUSTICE CHAPMAN SAYS "NO I" IDT TEi.Eoii/mi.-srnciAi. conui!si"j.s-nENT.I •-•■• •... ■:' ■ Palmarston North, May 25. After the sheriff CMr. C. J. Hewlett) had handed to his Honour, Mr. Justice Chap, man, a pair of white gloves iu token of tlio pleasing'fact that, at the Supreme Courb sittings commencing at Palmorston this morning, the criminal sheet was clean, the brand Jury was summoned.. t Addressing thorn, his Honour referred to tio institution, of the grand jury, and said that, ho did not regard it aB superfluous. "It might often appear to be such, becauso we have been long accustomed to times of peace, free from stress and trouble. A circumstance which I regard as significant in the maintenance of grand ■juries-.is that tho United States, one and all, have retained tho institution to safeguard tho interests of individuals." His Honour continued that, where a country was under stable government, and where peaceful institutions were in full swing, there was perhaps little necessity for the grand jury to interfere between the Crown and the subject, but it was ono.of the old securities for' liborty which the English nation had instituted in the earliest times, and instituted with good reason against the time when it might bo found necessary. ■■■ His Honour therefore asked the gentlemen assembled not to consider it a hardship that they were withdrawn from' their ordinary avocations to -attend. "I am perfectly wofl aware," _he added, "that it has been said that, seeing wo have capable Magistrates and other officials before whorn cases can be tried; the grand jury is unnecessary, but lam notone of those w,ho hold that view, and I hope that day, is .still:far distant when Government officials are to be substituted for these ancient tribunals." The jury was then discharged.