The Grey River Argus. FRIDAY, June 9, 1933. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Grey River Argus, 9 June 1933, Page 4

The Grey River Argus. FRIDAY, June 9, 1933. JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

The announcement made ’at Christchurch by the Minister of Justice, Hon. Cobbe, that some re organisation in connection with Magistrate’s Courts is contemplated to bring them more into line with the practice in English courts appears to be worthy at least of a trial. His statement to the Canterbury Justice of the Peace Association, that he was conducting investigations which might result in greater calls being made in the future on the time of the “Great Unpaid” is timely. It would appear that under the conditions which have existed in the Dominion practically ever since the Justice of the Peace System was established, that such appointments were merely a sinecure and actually pandered to the vanities of those favoured by a call to the important duties devolving on the position. New Zealand has been for the last decade, more than amply supplied with Justices of the Peace, ami indeed latterly the elevation to the position has become a doubtful compliment. With little more call on their time than. that entailed in witnessing an occasional signature. and being called upon to occasionally pre-

side at a short sitting of the Police Court, usually for the. purpose of fining an unfortunate “drunk” or some similar small service to the community, their duties are almost nil. Whilst some of them will doubtless feel diffident about extending their duties to assisting in the conduct of Magistrate’s Courts, except as a casual matter, others of their number will gladly afford more of their time to the requirements of the State, and be willing to share the Magisterial burdens of the country. Mr Cobbe has paid the Justices the compliment of expressing his confidence in their business acumen and common sense, and in the main the compliment. is deserved, as the majority of the Justices eould give proof of their judicial capabilities were they called upon for

such evidence of their capacity. The position is that with a Clerk of the Court at their elbow to give them “chapter and verse’’ whenever they need his prompting. the duties are not fraught witii the difficulties sonic of the un-initiated may think, “horsesense” being the quality whicfi will carry one through the problems. liable to present themselves at intervals. It is a tribute to the Magistracy that whilst so many eases of an intricate. type are heard the year round, few appeals against judgments are made, and only a very few of those heard are entertained. Hit-: happy consulnation may arise from the fact that it has become the custom in Ihe Dominion to re cruit magistrates from the bar, and therefore their credential; are vastly different from tin magistrate’s in England wl.on Mr Cobbe states are usually selected from retired military men. who therefore need not necessarily be acquainted with the genera! laws of tin' country, as Dominio ". Magistrates arc required to bo by the responsibility placed on ti.eir in that particular. -Magistrates will probably bo far more wilting that their duties should be shared with the Justices Ilian the latter will bo anxious to face the glare of legal limelight to the extent which the new order will dormiui. On the other hand the JusD-e of the Peace, having accepted the obligations belonging to his appointment, should be prepar ■<• to carry them out with zeal and assiduity. If it should be that the re-organisation takes the form indicated by Mr Cobbe, those a.-.

piping to the position of a .1 ; ; i: e of the Peace will realise beforehand what the step entails in the way of assisting in Courts in order that there need be no complaints afterwards should calle on their time by the State be many and made often. In the first stages'the process will be an experimental one, but when Jus tices have had ample opportunity to “feel their feet” a useful addition to their experience will acerue, and doubtless will be a means to lessen the burden of Court duties of the Magist’-aey of the country.