POINTS FROM DEBATES

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 47, 24 August 1917, Page 8

POINTS FROM DEBATES

PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF JURY

SYSTEM

The Juries Act Amendment Bill was subjected to further discussion in the Legislative Council yesterday. After the Hon. W. Earnshaw had finished his remarks (summarised in last night's Post), the Hon. R. Moore expressed the view that justice was more likely under the proposed three-fourths majority system as far as the juries in criminal cases were concerned than under the existing law. If there was an I.W.W. member of a jury, was he likely to give way if on€ of- his colleagues were on trial ? He 'advocated the abolition of the grand jury on the ground that, after all the machinery of the law had been brought into operation, a man should have to stand his trial, instead of a" no bill" being found in his favour. He was prepared to support the measure, and if in the future an opportunity occurred he would vote for the abolition of grand juries. In the course of further debate, the , Hon. Sir Francis Bell stated that, as far as he was able to express his personal opinion, he was in favour of the Bill, but neither he nor his colleagues would vote ; for only a majority verdict in capital cases. Although he would record his vote in favour of the second reading, he hoped that at the present inopportune time the Hon. Mr. Macgregor would not proceed with his Bill. He made reference to the fact that under the present system the Judge could order a new trial, and even a third trial, if he was of opinion that it was in the interests of justice.

The Hon. J. Barr moved the adjournment of the debate, and the Council adjourned at 4.23 p.m. until to-day.