FEDERAL HIGH COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13307, 13 October 1906, Page 5

FEDERAL HIGH COURT.

j TWO NEW JUDGES APPOINTED, i Bt Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. Melbourne, October 12. j Mr.. Isaacs, K.C., and Mr. H. B. Higgins, i K.C.. have accepted seats on the High Court Bench. When the Federal High Court was created there was a great outcry against it, on the score of cost. This was especially the case in Victoria, where the people were making desperate economies owing to loss of revenue by the drought. The original intention was to have five judges, but in deference to the clamour in Victoria the number was cut down to three Their Honors Mr. Justices Griffiths, Barton, and O'Connor. It is a peripatetic court, and there is no doubt Hie judges havebeen oversvorked. Mr. Jyi,uc9 is a native of Victoria and 51 years of age. 4 He graduated; as a. scholar in, law with first honours at Melbourne University. r His entry into politics was made in' 1892 as member for Bogong in the Assembly, and he served one period as Solicitor-General and two as Attorney-General of Victoria. He became Attorney-General in the Federal Ministry last year. . He is . a man of the keenest intellect and of lucid speech, bat not an orator. Mr. Higgins, K.C., in England would be termed a Social Democrat, somewhat of a Clarion type—a " doctrinaire" socialist. He was Attorney-General in the Labour Ministry of Mr. Watson, and more often speaks on Labour platforms than anywhere. He had a brilliant career at Melbourne University, and has been leader of the Equity Bar of Victoria since 1887. Prior to entering the House of Representatives he had been iu the State Assembly. In the two new judges the Federal Bench acquires two of the soundest and ablest lawyers in Australia, and both men. of the highest characj ter.' , . " : ■ ■■■' ■ ' —