TRIAL BY JURY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10966, 30 July 1921, Page 8

TRIAL BY JURY

FARMERS AND THEIR VIEWS ATTEMPT TO AMEND SYSTEM DEPRECATED. A MOTION ADJOURNED. Speaking to the following remit, at the Farmers' Union. Conference yesterday—" That all cases of criminal chances or otherwise, pertaining to land, and farmers, especially in cases of stock lifting, etc., be tried by a jury of farmers »nd not by a common jury.” Mr Ik Bates (North Canterbury) said that he lesired to move the following amendment: —"To ensure a greater certainty of justice and equity the time is ripe and overdue when radical changes should be made in the system of trial by jury; this conference is of opinion and strongly urges—(l) That jury districts should be extended to include more of the rural populations, and that a further jury list should be compiled, consisting entirely of the rural population; (2> in all triaia by jury each party shall have the right to indicate the list from which half of the jury is to be selected; (3) that in all civil cases no jury should be empannek led except with the consent of the court irrespective of the amount or nature of the claim; <4) that in all cases of trial by jury (in civil cases at least) there should be a right of appeal to a full court of three judges-” In speaking to the amendment, which was accepted in place of the original motion. Mr Bates said that he had per* sonal experience as a lawyer and a litigant in a case which took twelve months to decide. He alleged that his cause was right, and he had spent hundreds of pounds to secure what he firmly believed was his just due. A PLEA TOR CAUTION. Mr W. J. Poison (Fordell) slated that he. hoped that the conference would pause and think what it would mean if such a resolution were carried. They had met together to consider matters which appertained to farming pursuits and now it was proposed to amend the law of England, which was the finest law in the world, and had done good service for centuries. To pass such a motion by a hasty, snap division would be totally wrong. The whole thing was reducing British justice to an absolute farce. It was an impossible, extraordinary. and ridiculous proposal. Let them attend to their own business and not stultify themselves by passing such a resolution. Mr W. IX Lysnar (Poverty Hay) said that the motion tended to interfere with the system of justice, and* there vm no better system in existence. In reply Mr Bates said he did not desire to destroy the jury system, which was in need of reform, but the motion was merely a suggestion. The motion was carried, and the queer tion was referred to the executive to report upon at the next annual conference.