WOMEN AS JURORS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 26, 1 February 1943, Page 3

WOMEN AS JURORS

CHIEF JUSTICE'S COMMENT

Reference to the passing of the Women Jurors Act was made by the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) in the course of his charge to the Grand Jury in the Supreme Court today. "The Act was passed on October 26, and so.far only eleven women in this district have given notice of their desire to serve." said his Honour. "Of course a certain number of further notices will come in as time goes on. But in my personal opinion, and I speak with a lengthy experience at the Bar as well as on the Bench, the system as laid down cannot, for various reasons that it is unnecessary to detail, result satisfactorily.

"Recognising as I do that there is no logical answer to women being eligible to serve as jurors if there is any general desire on their part that that should ba the law, my own view is that jury service in the case of women, as of men, should be compulsory, and notwptional: it should be the duty and responsibility of all, and not merely the privilege of the few who choose to exercise it.

"There are other matters in respect of jury service by women upon which, by reason of their special experience, tlie Judges might, if invited, have been able to make some useful suggestions. That, however, was not done and we must do the best we can with the Act as it is."