THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20867, 6 November 1929, Page 12

THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, —I am sorry again to intrude on your valuable space, but, from your footnote to my letter of the 4th inst.. I am afraid that I have not made clear the motive that incited my letter. I assure you that it was not idle curiosity that drew me to the Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon last. I had just previously been informed that the doors had been locked, and frankly admit that I was incredulous. Under British law is it not the first essential that justice should be administered with open doors? Have not the highest courts in the Empire maintained this principle? Could even a judge, let alone subordinate officials, make such unconstitutional innovations simply because they may be assumed to suit transitory conditions?

I admit the objections to noisy interruptions of a judge’s summing up; but there are constitutional ways of dealing with them. You will surely admit that noisy interruptions are even more objectionable if they take place during the hearing of evidence in the case. From your point of view, therefore, it would seem to be proper that the doors of the court should be shut throughout the whole trial. There is surely something wrong in premised that lead to such a conclusion. —I am, etc., William Alexander. November 5.