THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 12

THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

No surprise will be caused by the appointment of Mr. M. Myers, K.C., of Wellington, to the vacant office of Chief Justice. His qualifications for the position were outstanding, and in consequence there have been frequent confident predictions that the choice would fall upon him. Though there have been occasional suggestions that the system should be varied, New Zealand continues to regard the puisne judges as ineligible for the leadership of the bench. There is no promotion for a judge once ho is appointed: no office in the gift of the Crown is open to him, a tradition which is worth preserving. Turning, therefore, to the ranks of the legal profession, the Government has selected a member whose conspicuous ability as a lawyer and a pleader has been proved by a long, brilliant and unbroken career of success. For many years the name of Mr. Myers has been associated with the most intricate and important cases heard in New Zealand. As his biography shows, he has been called upon to carry a large number of outstanding suits from the ordinary Courts to the Court of Appeal, and thence to the highest judicial authority in the Empire, the Privy Council. Through these actions he has established his reputation, not only throughout New Zealand but far beyond. The position of Chief Justice, carrying with it the duty on occasion of acting as deputy for the Governor-General, is one of the highest that can be held in this Dominion. Yet it must happen that to accept it when offered must involve in any man most suited to occupy it a considerable degree of personal sacrifice. Nobody can doubt that this has been so with Mr. Myers. There is, cause for . satisfaction that the honour of the office, and the service to be done in it, can still outweigh material considerations. It is- a guarantee that the nature of the service to be done the country is thoroughly appreciated by the incumbent. With that clearly established, it can be said New Zealand is fortunate in the new Chief Justice, who, it may be remarked was, like his predecessor, born in New Zealand.