WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 932, 10 January 1890, Page 28

WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

The manner of the filling up of two or three vacated Resident Magistracies lately

has given rise to a great deal of adverse comment. Complaints of favouritism in certain quarters and unjust overlooking of righteous claims in others are rife. We have been personally appealed to on behalf of the latter. It is urged that there is a Justice Department, the employes of which do not receive that consideration that the name demands, and which they are unquestionably entitled to. This means, of course, that there are members of the Department competent to fill the positions of Resident Magistrates, and that this outlet of promotion is more theirs than any one else’s outside the Department. With 'this pro position we cordially concur. The Justice Department should supply all the lesser dignitaries of our Law Courts, always providing the requisite competence is there. That is the cardinal point at issue. Is all the competence necessary for, say, a Resident Magistrate to be found in any one official of the Justice Department? And if there is there ought not to be one moment’s hesitancy in making the selection. But we are among those who believe considerable latitude should be allowed in the appointment of Resident Magistrates. For it is of the greatest consequence to the community that the Benches should be occupied by men of sterling ability, wide experience, and the highest integrity, irrespective of particular training in any special department. If the Justice Department contains such men the first offer of promotion should be theirs, b,ut if they fall short of the standard of excellence, compared with outsiders, the fault is theirs if they are passed over in favour of the latter. But the Justice Department may demand primary consideration. UpoAthat point we have no doubt whatever. Neither political nor any other expediency should be permitted to sway the selection.