NOT PARTY TO APPEAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1942, Page 5

NOT PARTY TO APPEAL

STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATE'S

CASE

(P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 28. "I emphatically dissociate myself from this appeal, though I quite understand that my own wishes cannot and ought not to be considered," stated Sergeant W. H. Woodward today when his withdrawal from the National Military Reserve to resume his duties as a Stipendiary Magistrate was sought by the Justice Department, supported by the Director of National Service. TJhe Taranaki Man-power Committee reserved its decision.

Sergeant Woodward, who was in mufti, said he disagreed with the Department's view that he was indispensable and suggested the appointment of a temporary Magistrate, adding: "There are only two things to be considered. The first is whether my military duties are essential, and the second is whether I can be replaced in my magisterial job." Captain S. F. Burgess said that Sergeant Woodward was an experienced machine-gunner likely to be commissioned, and with the expected influx of inexperienced men called in the ballot it was essential for the Reserve to retain his services. The Under-Secretary of Justice, Mr. Dallard, wrote that the Minister of Justice held the view that as relief for a Magistrate was so difficult to get and his work so essential, the Department should have the prior claim on his services. Mr. Dallard added that extra work on the Magistrates made the position acute and the Minister felt it was absurd to make additional appointments to enable a present Magistrate to engage in temporary military duties and then afterwards find an excess of Magistrates. Also, an experienced judiciary was essential to the national well-being. Sergeant Woodward said he had been in touch with the retired Magistrates Messrs. Morris and Hewitt. Neither could serve in Taranaki, but they could serve in Auckland. He suggested that an Auckland Magistrate be transferred to Taranaki and a retired man take that place or else that a lawyer be temporarily appointed, legal business being slack at present. The committee expressed appreciation of Sergeant Woodward's attitude.