AN HONEST MAN

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11663, 30 October 1923, Page 4

AN HONEST MAN

AND HIS WORD

‘WHO WOULD BELIEVE A LIAR f’

“And who is going to believe a liar?'’ was a question put to counsel in the Court of Appeal yesterday by Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice. “I have said this to people over and over again,” continued the Chief Justice, “that if a man tells a deliberate falsehood on oath. I will never believe him again unless liis statements are corroborated.”

“Do you think that the taking of an oath makes any difference?” he asked. . . . “‘lt might perhaps make some difference to some superstitious people, but not to an honest man!” Air M. Myers, K.C., said he would have to challenge Hi? Honour’s statement that a man was not to be believed because he had once told a lie. He was afraid that very few people would come up to the test imposed by the learned Chief Justice.

The Chief Justice: Very well, then, they have their remedy. ... I have said this to people before. The statement has to be corroborated before I will accept it.”