SIR R. STOUT

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 February 1926, Page 3

SIR R. STOUT

FAREWELL FROM BAR.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 1. s All the Judges at present in Wellington and practically all the members of the legal profession practising in this city attended at the Supreme Court to-day to bid farewell to Sir Robert Stout on his relinquishment of the high office of Chief Justice of New Zealand. The Judges present were: Mr Justice Reed, Mr justice MacGregor, Mr Justice Ostler, f Mr Justice Alpers l , Mr Justice Frazer, and Mr Justice liosking. The Hon. F. J. Rolleston, Minister of Justice, represented the Government.

The Attorney-General, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, addressing the large gathering, said that the members of the bar desired to express their deep sense of the great loss they were sustaining in the retirement of the Chief Justice, and to, convey to him their admiration of his long and illustrious service to the Dominion, and their personal affection and esteem for him as a man, judge, and citizen. After outlining Sir Robert’s public career since his arrival in the Dominion, the Attorney-General said: “Since his appointment as Chief Justice, he has still continued to show the same tireless industry and the same rare "simplicity which has marked all his career. He has adhered, throughout his life to a lofty and rigorous code of self-discipline. To members of the Bar, he has always shown an unfail-

ing courtesy, and, particularly to junior members, he has always displayed leniehcy and a helping hand. Notwithstanding his heavy judicial work, he has always managed to keep alive his wide interest in social and humanitarian questions, and there are few men who maintain wider contact with modern thought in all the leading countries of the world, both by correspondence and by reading. “Now that he lays down his great trust, which he has administered for so long a period, and with such high ideals, members of the Bar again express to him their cordial and deep sense of gratitude for the great inspiration and example he has been, and wish him many years of life and happiness to render still further conspicuous service to this Dominion.” Mr Justice Reed, as Senior Judge present, spoke on behalf of his brother Judges, and read a letter from Sir Robert’s successor, in which Mr C. P. Skerrett said: “I agree with what I believe to be the opinion of the members of the Bar that Sir Robert’s long services to the State, in many capacities, his long and unique occupancyl of the high office of Chief Jus- . tice, and industry, integrity and efficiency with which he has discharg- . ed his important duties, and presided over the Courts entrusted with the administration of justice, deserves the grateful remembrance of the Bar and of the public.”

Concluding his remarks, Mr Justice Rded said: , “The ‘otium cum dignitate,’ which is the accepted state of great men, who have laid down their work, does not mean in your case, Sir, a case of sloth. Such a condition ,to a man of your temperament would be intolerable. Your and varied interests and your untiring industry will, I am sure, provide you with congenial occupation for the evening of your days, and in occupation you will find the ease that alone would appeal to a nature such as yours. That it may prove so is the sincere and earnest desire of all those who have been associated with you. Sir, we are proud to join with the members of the Bar of this Dominion in paying this tribute of respect to you, and with them we wish you the best of health and happiness for many years to come.” Sir Robert, in the course of his reply, touched upon many matters of interest to the Bench and Bar, and concluded: “May I now express my thanks to the members of the profession for their kindness to me during the time I held office on the Bench, and for their universal courtesy, and may I also thank the officers of the Court for the great assistance they have given me at all times. I think we have a right to be proud of our Civil Service in New Zealand, and, so far as servants of the Justice Department are concerned, I have found thnm obln .nnrl /lilirrnv-il- unnlid

them most able and diligent in realising their duty and their function as public servants, and anxious to fulfil their onerous work. On retiring from the Bench, I do not consider I should in any way lose interest in my professional brethren, but hope that, frojn a more peaceful outlook of leisure, I shall always take a keen interest in all that pertains to the well-being of our citizens and our country. I thank you all. Good-bye, and may all be well with you. and yours in the coming years.” Mr C. P. Skerrett, K.C., was sworn in as Chief Justice this morning by his Honour Mr Justice Reed. ADVICE TO LAWYERS. (Special to “Star.”) • WELLINGTON, February 1. “The nation will be deemed civilised only when it conforms to the highest ideals of order and justice,” said Sir R. Stout during the course of his speech made in reply to the farewells accorded him to-day. “It was such ideals in the past that made nations civilised. Peace desirable, but peace must not be obtained at the cost of law and order. Behind every Court must stand authority and power to enforce the Court’s decrees. The wise enforcement of such decrees and the punishment of law-breakers will ensure the safety and stability which is

necessary for the existence of the State. Justice must be done even though the heavens fall, nor will strict enforcement of the law prevent human efforts being made to educate, reform and civilise law-breakers. In methods of our treatment of delinquents in New Zealand, we have made marked progress. The system of open-air prisons and prison farms has been the means of redeeming many prisoners. It would, however, be fatal to our civilisation if evildoers did not recognise that the Magistrate’s duty is to maintain law and order and to enforce justice. We can show that we can do so> without recourse to the barbarou's methods of the past. The last word has not yet been said about criminal reform. I mention these matters because it is to the legal profession that we must look to promote and maintain the highest ideals of law and justice. As members of an honourable profession and as citizens, they must realise the (Tuty of service to their country. To enable them faithfully to perform such duties our young lawyers must not only cultivate comprehensive knowledge of legal history, but they should be able to help in the evolution of a better man with high ideals and responsibility of citizenship. Those who are studying lw at the present

time have therefore, in adition to fittingf themselves for the performance of their professional duties, to become acquainted with' the widest culture.' This will entail strenuous labour, but if they attain this wide culture they will be well rewarded. Law students to-day are placed in a much more favourable position than the students of the past. They have greater facilities for study. Law books and treatises are now obtainable Fetter than they were in the olden days. Many of them can also attend law schools at the various University institutions. There are libraries throughout the Dominion, from which they will be enabled to obtain knowledge of literature and science. All those things are necessary to make an efficient lawyer.”