THE PRIVY COUNCIL AND COURT OF APPEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12260, 2 May 1903, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE PRIVY COUNCIL AND COURT OF APPEAL.

TO THE EDITOE,

Sir—Whatever may bo thought of the. criticisms or the unusual vigour of the lansjuaeo used bv the members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the. recent Porirua law case it is ridiculous to suggest as lias boon done in London, that by their lordships' strictures the attachment of colonists to the Privy Council as the ultimate Court of Appeal will bo in any degree weakened. The- vast majority of lawyers and the general body of the people of New Zealand regard the Privy Council as the bulwark of their liberties. The judges of that distinguished tribunal are far removed from local prejudices and passions, and are constantly dealing with legal questions from all parte of the Empire. Moreover, they are men of high intellectual calibre, and possess not only great legal attainments but, as a rule, general culture of the highest order. Calm and imperturbable, in a serene atmosphere, and fearless alike of Crown and subject, the members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council constitute an ideal Court of Appeal. It is not too much to assert that so far from being a centrifugal force the Privy Council has done more to promote the unity and solidarity of the Empire than any otfaot single institution. That there might with advantage be an infusion of colonial judge's in the composition of the Judicial Committee, may possibly bo admitted, but such judges should bo retired from their ordinary colonial work before becoming members of that body.— am, etc., W. J. NAriEit.

Victoria Arcado, May 1, 1903.