THE JUDICIARY OF THE UNITED STATES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4955, 13 February 1937, Page 4

THE JUDICIARY OF THE UNITED STATES.

President Roosevelt’s proposal for a complete reorganisation of the High Court of the United States has brought forth a storm of criticism, and judging by the principles of the British Constitution, is one that might be termed political “jobbery.” Mr. Roosevelt's plan is to retire all judges over the age of seventy years and who have held office for ten years, and have not retired after reaching that age. The reason given for the revision of the High Court is that “a constant and systematic addition of younger blood will vitalise the Court and better equip them to recognise and apply the essential concepts of justice in the light of needs and facts in the ever-changing world.” This sounds quite reasonable, but when it is known that the Supreme Court gave a decision that a large number of the clauses of the President’s “New Deal” programme were unconstitutional, it raises- grave doubts in the minds of many people of Mr. Roosevelt’s political sincerity. There are nine judges of the Federal Court at present and six of them are over the age of seventy. It seems that the President means to pack the Court in order that he will be in a position to have the spirit of his “New Deal” applied with the sanction of the judges he will appoint himself. The “New Deal” might be quite a sound measure. The fact that Mr.

Roosevelt was re-elected by a huge majority proves that it had the endorsement of the people of the United States, but it is a dangerous principle for a politician to have the power to influence the highest judiciary in the country, and the President may suffer a severe loss of prestige by his proposal. In New Zealand there is an age limit of seventy-two' years for a judge of the Supreme Court, but this was a precedent established many years ago and had no political significance. In Britain there is no retiring age but it has been suggested that an age limit should be placed on judges. It seems to be rather an unwise move on. the part of Mr. Roosevelt to reorganise the Supreme Court at this stage when the political differences between himself and his judges are still fresh in the memory of the people, and it seems that there will be strong opposition to his proposal, opposition to his proposal. Recent reports state that this move on the part of the Mr. Roosevelt is splitting parties and may result in a political upheaval in the country, though the President cannot be unseated until his term expires.