THE COURT'S CHAMPION.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 7, 8 July 1922, Page 7

THE COURT'S CHAMPION.

Certain Southland farmers recently had a difference of opinion with the Arbitration Court as to where _ particular case should be heard. The incident was referred tc in the House of Representatives yesterday, when Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton) drew the attention of the Minister of Justice to the fact that a member dt Parliament had been attemptr ing to dictate to a-Judge of the Supreme Court. Did the Minister intend to do anything about it? Mr. Massey: "Was it the.member for Lyttelton?" Mr. M'Combs : "No, I never attempt to dictate to the Supreme Court. If I had I would doubtless have received the same kind of rebuke." He added that even if the member in question were a supporter of the Government he should not attempt to dictate to the Court. Would the Minister make regulations to prevent such a thing ? «. • The Hon. E. P. Lee : "It is not at jUI necessary to ,haye,..any regulations con*

trolling the position. Any Court hat more than ample powers to deal with anyone, members of Parliament included, interfering with it—ample powers—and nothing further is necessary." Mr. Howard: "If it had been a Labour member!"

Later Mr. J. R. Hamilton (Awarua), the member referred to by Mr. M'Combs, sought to put his own point of view by way of a question. He asked the Minister of Justice if he thought a Judge was within his rights in rebuking certain farmers and members of Parliament if, on receiving certain communications from the Clerk of Awards, they replied to the Clerk of Awards as instructed on those communications.

"Under the Standing Orders," replied Mr. Lee "comment on the Supreme Court Judges is not permitted in Parliament."