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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18293, 9 July 1921, Page 10

THE MORAL ELEMENT IN JUSTICE

TO TUK EDITOR. Sir. —Where one footballer recently remonstrated in docent language with another who appeared about to strike a third, whereupon the man remonstrated with struck a hard blow on the face of tho one remonstrating, and both, being then ordered off tho field, apparently fought, the magis trate, in giving his decision on a charge of a breach of the peace, said it mattered not to him who migitt have been the aggressor, the public peace had been broken, and he fined each the same amount. Now. magistrates’ decisions, oven where they are disagreed with, must bo treated bv any intelligent citizen with respect, and lliis decision was given by a much-respected magistrate. I respectfully suggest, however, that the moral element is gradually being eliminated and a. system substituted which will destroy confidence and respect for both our courts and the law itself. What resulted in this case? Iho local public insisted on paying the fine and everything for the assaulted man, and the public comment is “Don’t, endeavour to prevent a breach of the peace. or. if you lor-c your head at all, you will liavo to answer to the police yourso'f, with the chance of getting a kind of ‘ automatic decision’ and litil« mercy from the court.*’ cAro not the public rights being gradually taken from »ui" citizens, and is not protest necessary?—l am, etc., July 8. True Balance.

The cost of making a Bank of England five-pound note i» one halfpenny.