OATHS IN COURT

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1934, Page 3

OATHS IN COURT

RESOURCEFUL OFFICERS A day or two ago. in a London court to which, from time to time, there come representatives of almost all the races of mankind. I saw a dark-skinned witness step into the box (says a writer in the "Daily Mail"). “I am a Buddhise.” he said. Which, of course, meant that he warned to take ihe oath of that faith. The clerk, ready for any emergency, directed the deponent to declare; — "I declare, as in the presence of Buddha, that I am unprejudiced, and if what I shall speak shall prove false, if by colouring truth others shall be led astray, then may the three Holy Existences. Buddha, Dhamma, and Pro Sangha, in whose sight [ now stand, together with the Devotees oi the 22 Firmaments, punish me and also my migrating soul.” “Are you bound by that oath?” asked the clerk.

“I am,” replied the witness. And the evidence proceeded. In the afternoon of the sam? day, a Chinese witness had to give evidence. Again equal io the occasion, the resourceful clerk, as if by magic, produced a blue-and-white saucer. This w?s handed >to the witness. He piously knelt down and broke it into a hundred pieces. And he then solemnly swore: — “I tell the truth and the whole truth —if not, as that saucer is broken, may my soul be broken like it." The only person in court who appeared unimpressed was the usher, who promptly proceeded to pick up the fragments. Equally impressive is the oath administered to the Mahommedan. Before him is placed a copy of the Koran. His right hand is made to lie flat upon it. He puts his left hand on his forehead and in that position he brings his head down to touch the sacred book. Having remained in that attitude for a while, he is asked, “Are you bound, by the ceremony you have performed, to speak the truth?’’ The witness answers solemnly, “I am," and the <case proceeds.

“A HOLY CORD.” To the Parsee witness -there is handed a copy of the Zendavesta. He places his right hand upon it and repeats after the clerk, “I swear that the evidence which I shall give shall be the truth, by God. God Omnipresent, and God Omnipotent, the God Almighty.” Should it happen that there is no copj 7 of the Zendavesta available, a Parsee witness considers himself equally hound if he hold a “holy cord" tied around his body. .. Until comparatively recently it was necessary to kiss the Book, but that unhygienic habit has been discontinued. .. . . Apart froth witnesses, theVe are a number of oaths designed for dll occasions used in tlie courts. A jury in a civil , action is sworn to “well and truly try the issues joined between the parties and. a true verdict give according to the evidence.' So help you God.” In a criminal trial the jurors’ oath is partly determined by the nature of the offence alleged. If the prisoner is charged with felony. the jury is enjoined to “well and ■truly try the issues joined between otir Sovereign Lord the King and the prisoner at the bar. . . But in cases

of misdeameanour, the word “defend-, ant” takes the place of “prisoner at the bar.” , i When the jury retires, the bailiff declares on oath that “I will well and •truly keep this jury in some private and convenient, place; I will not. suffer anyone to speak to them, neither will I speak to them rhyself. unless it, be to ask them whether they have agreed on their verdict, without leave 'of the Court.” , It would appear that in all ages, and in all countries, on solemn oc< car.ions, an oath is taken the better to hind the conscience. Juliet abjured Romeo:— ; “O. swear not by the moon, rhe in* constant moon, .. • That, monthly changes in her circled/ orb .... . . Swear by thy gracious self, ' . Which is the god of my idolatry And I’ll believe thee.”