SIR R. STOUTS EMOLUMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14660, 21 October 1909, Page 7

SIR R. STOUTS EMOLUMENTS

DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. CFhojj Our. Own" Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 20. Tiici'o lui.s been much talk amongst members on both sides of the Houso about the amounts paid to Sir Robert Stout in coim=ctiou with the Native Land Com-, mission and as Chief Justice, nml Mr, Okey put. the question to the Government whether it was a fact that Sir Robert Stout, as chairman of .tlio Native Land? Commission, had received £1286 honorarium and £580 travelling expenses, as shown in return El, in addition to liis salary of £2000 a year and travelling, ex, peiises as Chief Justice.

Sir Joseph Ward, in reply, said that special reasons existed for thoappointmeut of tlie Chief Justice as chairman of tho Native Lands Commission, and any assumption that the work could havo been dene as dliciently for a. smaller sum tvas totally unfounded. Tho Chief Justica could not be called iipon to do tho work, as it was entirely outside of his official functions. The country had tho advantage of Ins judicial oflico and very specfal knowledge of Native customs and Native legislation. I'urthcr, the confidcnco which tho people, both European and Native, had always felt, in Sir Robert Stout pointed him out as the most suitable for this cities of work. The work was dono under great pressure, and with extraordinary industry, and cojisequeiitlyj within a shorter timo than any other man, even probably with the qualifications of the Chief Justice. could have done. The arrangement mado'witli the Chief Justice as regards remuneration was tlio best that would be obtained, and ail impartial survey of the wirk done—its enormous importance to Now Zealand, and tho relations of harmony which had been left bet ween the Native people and the Europeans—had placed beyond question tlio assumption tlir.t the work done by Sir Robert Stout could not lave been dono n.ore eflk-ijinlv, more expeditiously, or more economically than it. was done.

Ueiening to the matter in the course of his speech, Mr llatime expressed the opinion that no member of tho Bench, should be paid one singlo penny above lib salary for any work he did on or oft the ikmdi. Ho went on to say that ho felt sure his comments would not be taken as a rellection upon the Chief Justice, because Sir Robert was so absolutely freo from suspicion that he (the speaker) was able to speak liis mind. No man could possibly accuse Sir Robert of selling his views for any sum, and it was equally certain that the Government, in offering liim the position at tho head of tho Native Land Commission, never thought it would 1 inllucnce him. " But," continued Mr Bainne, " if such a thing bo continued, it must destroy the high position in which the Bench i.; held. There was another judicial officer (Judge Palmer) who did work in connection with tho commission.. I don't know whether ho was paid above his salary." (Mr Carroll: " No,") " I am glad to hear that that is the case. It is in accordance with tho ideals of our, community that tho reputation of our judges should be, like Chair's wife, abova suspicion. Once a judge is appointed liis salary should be lixed, and nothing further, should be expected by him. A judge should not be placed under circumstances where there is a possibility of his incurring hostility or friendship, favour or ingratitude, praise or contumely, at tho hands of the Government, Parliament-, or the community generally in regard .to.llia 'work."— I" Hear, hears.")