COMMENT BY CHIEF JUSTICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 15 October 1941, Page 4

COMMENT BY CHIEF JUSTICE

RECENT ALTERATIONS IN LAW CORPORAL AND CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Hamilton, Oct. 14. \ "As this is the first occasion on which I have had opportunity of addressing a Grand Jury since certain recent alterations were made in the law effecting the abolition of corporal and capital punishment. I had intended to refer to the matter in some detail," said the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), when delivering his charge to the Grand Jury at the opening of the quarterly session of the Supreme Court in Hamilton to-day. | "However, on consideration and in view of the serious issues created by the war situation. I think it undesirable to say anything which might have i a tendency to evoke controversy on what is. after all, though very important, a matter of only domestic concern. For practical purposes the issue has. for the time being at all events, been closed by legislative action.” On the return of the Grand Jury, which returned true bills in all three criminal cases. Mr C. Nisbet expressed the jury’s regret that the power of the •Court had been restricted in the imposition of flogging in sexual cases. The Grand Jury’s presentment would be sent to the Minister of Justice, said the Chief Justice. It was unfortun- ! ate that presentments of this kind were i not made before the law was altered.— P.A. _____