LAW SOCIETY CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 20468, 26 April 1930, Page 28

LAW SOCIETY CONFERENCE

EVIDENCE-TAKING METHODS DISCUSSED [l’m United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 21. Addressing the legal conference, Air C. H. Weston (New .Plymouth) said it was possible that the present rigid system of eliciting the evidence of witnesses by questions and answers would be modified in future. In compensation and othei similar cases where expert witnesses were engaged the system generally proved inadequate to arrive at what the witnesses desired to convey. It would be more satisfactory if the matters at issue could bo informally discussed at_a kind of round-table conference presided over by a judge, with counsel and expert witnesses present unci entitled to question one another without restraint. A remit—“ That legislation should bo passed abolishing the liability of a husband for his wile’s torts ” was carried. Air F. L. G. West, of Auckland, said the purpose of the remit ,was to proviclethat a husband need nob be involved in any law proceedings against his wife. _ The present legislation was not sufficiently clear on the. point, and a husband might be sued" for heavy damages and a decision might bo obtained against him in. circumstances which caused serious injustice. “ 1 hope that within reasonable time this change of attitude may find expression in the statutes of the country,” said Mr A. H. Johnstone, in seconding the remit. The opposite view was taken by Miss Ellen Melville, who said many wives were entirely without separate estate, and an_ action for damages against a wife might fail for that reason. 11 husbands were absolved from responsibility _ for _ the acts of their wives a plaintiff in court proceedings would have no remedy in many cases, and in view of the number of women drivers of motor cars this would give rise to a serious position. The conference carried a resolution expressing the opinion that action should lie taken to secure better protection for mortgagees insurance policies, and requesting council of the New Zealand Law Society to negotiate with insurance companies for the purpose of _ endeavouring to arrange suitable provisions for that purpose.