THE LAW SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8986, 25 February 1888, Page 3

THE LAW SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Some discussion has taken place and a good deal of comment has been made, both publicly and privately, on the action of the Law Society in closing the doors of the library, after certain hours, to those in the profession who do not happen to be enrolled as members of that body. Now, if' the Society were to close the doors of the library to all, members and outsiders alike, after certain hours, no possible complaint could be made ; and the excuse given that) there is a danger of the books going astray through the negligence of those attending the library during the evenings, would be a good and sufficient answer to any carping remarks. But are the barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court, for whose usa (see the District Law Societies Act, 1878, section 14) the Law Society holds this library, Bure that the alleged negligence was not that of some one or other of the members of the Society itself, perhaps even the venerable president ? What would we say if we found that Mr. Costley's trustees, instead of expending the whole of the interest received from the trust funds, as he directed, were quietly using half of it for their own private purposes ?- Yet, there are censorious individuals in existence who hint that the Society is acting in this manner. I take it that the main object of such a society as this is to foster, in every legitimate manner, the acquisition of legal knowledge by the profession, so that the profession, individually and as a whole, shall be raised in status and public estimation. This is the view taken by the Societies in Dunedin and Wellington, where not only the profession, but the law students also, have the fullest and amplest access to the libraries. It seems a ridiculous thing for the Law Society to debar law studentsas it does' —from access to the library ; for, bydoing so, instead of being an assistance to the profession, the Society actually becomes a hindrance, by depriving its future members of an opportunity of' acquiring knowledge, which can only be obtained readily at the library. If Sir George Grey were to introduce a measure dealing with the Law Societies, and compelling them to open the libraries, not only to the .profession, but also to law students, upon payment of an annual nominal fee for gas and attendance up to say ten o'clock in the evening, I am sure that it would receive a hearty measure of support from all. Sir George has been up to the present labouring under the idea that the profession is suffering from too much knowledge. Ido not think his idea is correct, and the action of the Law Society confirms me in that opinion.— am, &c., J. M. Speed.