SLUR ON JUSTICES

Evening Star, Issue 26042, 5 March 1947, Page 8

SLUR ON JUSTICES

REGENT STATEMENT BY SIR M. MYERS MAGISTRATE THINKS ATTACK UNWARRANTED (P.A.) NELSON, March 4. - The strong attack made some time ago by the former Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, on two justices of the peace who imposed what appeared to be a heavy penalty on men who had escaped from custody was criticised by Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., when addressing the conference of the Federation of New Zealand Justices’ Associations in Nelson to-day. Mr Maunsell expressed the opinion that in attacking the justices as he had done the Chief Justice had shown an error of judgment. , “ I had considerable sympathy tor the two justices who some time ago were very strongly attacked by the former Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, for imposing what appeared to be a very heavy sentence in respect of a charge of escaping from custody, said Mr Maunsell. “ The Chief Justice had accused those justioes or sadism. Having in mind 'the experiences in Germany and Japan in recent years, the word ‘ sadism ’ is a very ugly one.” With great respect to the ex-Chief Justice, it seemed to the speaker that Sir Michael had made a mistake himself. An accusation of sadism had an implication of malpractice.

Mr Maunsell said he would have preferred to say that it was an honest error of judgment on the part of the justices. He thought the Chief Justice had made an error of judgment in attacking two men who had no means of defending themselves. He felt justified in expressing his sympathy with the two justices concerned.

Gratitude for the good work being done by justices of the peace in the interests of society was expressed by the Minister of Justice, Mr Mason, when. officially opening the conference.