MAGISTRATE’S SALARIES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 185, 3 May 1929, Page 11

MAGISTRATE’S SALARIES

“I notice in your paper of 23rd. inst.,” writes A. T. Erikson, “an advertisement —‘Returned Soldier, last two wars, badly wants Clothing, Boots, etc. Apply 8586, c/o ‘Dominion,’ “and in your issue of April 3, you devote a leading article to advocating increased salaries for magistrates; at the same time, the rumour states, there is a deficiency of £soo,ooo—unemployment is rampant, and a poor returned soldier has to ask for clothing—who knows that there are not one hundred more in a similar position but too proud to ask?” The writer expresses the opinion that it is not reasonable to ask the Government to increase the salaries of magistrates, and proceeds to criticise their work, maintaining that outside of the four centres, magistrates have very little to do, and lack the confidence of litigants, also that some culling out and the appointment of more broadminded men is desirable.