DOMESTIC CASES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22354, 30 August 1934, Page 7

DOMESTIC CASES

EXCLUSION OF IDLE PUBLIC MINISTER FAVOURABLE TO REQUEST. (From Ocm Pabuamektart Reporter.) WELLINGTON, August 29. The exclusion of idle members of the public from the Magistrate’s Court when cases of a domestic character are being heard was urged by a deputation from the National Council of Women which waited on the Minister of Justice (Mr J. G. Cobhe) to-day. The Minister, in replying, undertook to ask all magistrates to exclude from the courts persons who were in no way connected with the proceedings in such cases. Miss C. E. Kirk, Dominion president, said that all the deputation asked was that in affiliation, maintenance and separation cases the idle public should be excluded. It did not ask for the exclusion of members of the legal profession, recognised social workers, friends of the parties, and the press. Miss M. England said that in New South Wales domestic cases were afforded every privacy, and that even the social workers had to obtain a special pass if they wished to be present in the court, the proceedings of which were held apart from the main court, “You have raised a very difficult question, but I may say that personally I am in entire sympathy with your proposal,” the Minister said. “ The difficulty is that we fear we may do something that might have a harmful effect. Magistrates, of course, have power now to clear the #ourt where they think it necessary. I understand that ■ the magistrates in Wellington are very careful to keep out undesirables and that domestic cases arc heard in a room set aside for that purpose.” Miss Kirk said that the request' concerned the whole of New Zealand. “ The magistrates are very good to us,” she added, “ but no magistrate wishes to exercise his privilege unduly. We have known instances where girls who have been concerned in cases have been approached in the street by undesirables who have seen them in court.”

The Minister: I quite agree that these loafers who hang round courts should not be allowed in during the hearing of domestic cases. We arc afraid to introduce legislation in case we go too far, but I will undertake to circularise all magistrates asking them to exclude from courts persons in no way connected with the proceedings in domestic cases.

Miss Kirk: That would give us great satisfaction.

The Minister: We will see how it works. If it docs not have any effect, come and sec mo again.