SAFEGUARD TO PUBLIC

Mt Benger Mail, 9 February 1938, Page 4

SAFEGUARD TO PUBLIC

GRAND JURY SYSTEM Judiciary Unitedly Favours its Retention Hamilton, Feb. 2. Reference was made by Mr Justice Johnston in the Supreme Court at Hamilton to the frequ-ently-expressed opinion that there was no need for grand juries. Such a view was not generally held by the judiciary in New Zeaalnd. “Without exception,” he said, “all the judges in New Zealand are in favour of the retention of grand juries, because we consider that they constitute, in the first place, a. safeguard to the public,” Dreadful as it was for a person to have to stand his trial on a criminal charge that was justified, it was much, more dreadful for such a charge to be faced when there was no real basis for it.

“The grand jury system," His Honour went on, “also invites citizens of repute to take part in the administration of justice, and bring into court people who are not constantly engaged in court work. These people are enabled to view the operations of the courts, and grand juries also have a right to make representations on any matter bearing on the administration of justice.”