COURTS OF JUSTICE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10769, 18 May 1911, Page 3

COURTS OF JUSTICE.

REPLY TO MR. ALLEN. . (Per Press Association.) Auckland, May 17. In tlio course of his speech, at Pukekohc this evening the Hon. Geo. Fowlds replied to the remarks recently made by Mr Jas. Allen, M.P., suggesting that magistrates and judges of the Supreme Court might perhaps unconsciously be influenced by the fact that they were employed by the Government to act on Royal "The latest method of reviling the Government," said Mr Fowlds, "has been adopted by Mr Allen in the form of an attack upon the judicial bench. This attack reveals the true Tammany spirit, trying to discredit one of the most sacred institutions of the country. I think I am using, extremely moderate language when I say that it shows exceedingly bad taste for Mr Allen or for any other leading member of the Opposition to make an attack upon the Supreme Court judges of this country. What is the supposed justification for this very serious accusation ? It is that certain judges and magistrates have been appointed to act on Royal Commissions and have received payment for special services rendered in connection therewith. The law authorising the appointment of Supremo Court judges as commissioners was passed before the Ward Government took office, and if my memory serves me aright I have heard Mr Massey himself advocating a commission of inquiry to be conducted by judges of the Supreme Court. The imputation that the judges or magistrates of this country would be influenced in the slightest degree by the paltry payments provided for such special work is an insult to the bench and discreditable to those making the accusation."