JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22353, 29 August 1934, Page 13

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

OTAGO ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Otago Justices of the Peace Association was held in the Law Courts building last evening, the president (Mr G. W. Watts) occupying the chair. About 25 members were present. The annual report was adopted on the motion of the president, who said that during the year the association had been indebted to Mr Dove for bis work in arranging the musical programmes and also for the arrangements he had made for the visit to the Dunedin Public Hospital. The treasurer (Mr W. Connor) moved the adoption of the balance sheet, and said.that the only matter which called for comment was the large number of subscriptions outstanding. Other members also commented on the laxity displayed in some, quarters regarding the payment of subscriptions, and the report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr T. D. B. Paterson; vice-president, Mr W. Connor; councillors, Messrs H. G. Smith and F. G. Gumming; registrar, Mr J. W. Patton; treasurer, Mr A. D. Sutherland; honorary auditors, Messrs H. G. Smith and H. Eenfree, SUPPRESSION OP NAMES. Mr E. S. Clarke said that a matter which had been exercising his mind for some years was the publication of, defendants’ names, and he suggested that the following proposal be referred to the incoming committee for its consideration and report to a future meeting—“ That in the opinion of this association It should be made an offence for any person to publish the name of a defendant in a court of justice unless and until such defendant has been proved guilty of the charge made against him." Air Clarke said that they prided thr iselvea on their British sense of justice and fair play, but it Was an injustice if they published the name of a man charged with an offence when that offence was not proved. In cases where a man was tried and acquitted so much mud was thrown that some of it would be sure to stick, while they had often heard or read of people who, although innocent of any offence, paid blackmail rather than have their names brought before the court. Magistrates already had a right to order the suppression of a name, so that the person charged would have an opportunity of making good. If his motion met with the approval of the association, Mr Clarke said he thought it should go before the forthcoming conference of justices.—lt was decided to refer the matter to the incoming council for consideration.

Further to the question of the suppression of offenders’ names in reports of court proceedings, Air W, Wright said that when he and Air G. Stratton had prohibited the publication of an offender’s name last Boxing Day, a paragraph had appeared in the Otago Daily Times questioning their power to take such a step. As a matter of fact they were empowered by law to suppress offenders’ names at their discretion, and he would like the position to be clarified. Air Stratton supported Air Wright in his protest, after which the discussion lapsed. i ' . GENERAL.

A tentative programme for. the Dominion Justices’ annual conference, to be held in Dunedin next March, was submitted by a aub-committce appointed for the purpose. It was decided to refer the matter to the incoming executive. The question of procuring supplies of the association medallion was left in the hands of the incoming council. It was decided to send letters to Mr A. Cable and Air W, G. Griffin expressing the association’s sympathy with them in their illness, and thanking them for the work they had done for the association in the past. *_• . In vacating the chair, Air Watts thanked the members of the council for the excellent support they had 1 accorded him during the year. _ . A vote of thanks to the retiring chairman concluded the meeting.