THE RETIRED J.P.s.

Evening Star, Issue 11695, 29 September 1902, Page 2

THE RETIRED J.P.s.

■ TO THE EDITOB. Sir, —I have just read your parliamentary correspondent’s wire “that the Petitions Committee reported that they have no recommendation to make.” Needless ’ to say, I fully expected they would recommend an inquiry. In cases of misfeasance against the magistracy—ami I have known several—before punishment of dismissal

was gazetted t an inquiry was always held. Even against a Minister of the Crown — happily not in New Zealand —who was very largely bribed, the same course was followed. In my correspondence with the Minister I ventured to point out attempts to bribe during my own official life; in one case to a very large amount. As an (fid disciplinarian, I of course must submit to the highest, coqrt of the realm; but I would respectfully Remind the Minister of Justice of the King#—and the Minister is “king ’ in -New' Zealand—Coronation Oath: “To?ause law and justice (not expediency) in mercy to bi' eiecuted in all his judgments.” I wqjjlS further remind the Hon. the Minister of his letter of the 4th July, 1902, to Air Geoige Fowlds, M.H.R. : “I take this opportunity of making a few general remarks upon the relations between the Executive Government and the magistracy. It must never be forgotten that it is absolutely essential to the proper administration of justice and to the well-being of the community that judicial officers, acting in pursuance’of the powers vested in them by law, shall not be subject to interference by the Executive. If» therefore, whenever a magistrate does something that is disapproved of by a section of tho public he is to be called to account by the Minister of Justice, a blow is struck at the independence of the Bench. For my own part, I Lave always maintained that the administration of justice must be free.” Touching the case in which it was “ expedient ” to remove me and the other magistrates from the commission, it would be interesting to record that the whole proceedings were abortive from initiative to finality.—l am, etc., • Freds. Mallard. September 27.