JUSTICES' ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22518, 12 March 1935, Page 5

JUSTICES' ASSOCIATION

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES GIVEN CIVIC WELCOME. A civic welcome to the Federation of the New Zealand Justices' Association, which will open its annual conference in Dunedin to-morrow, was extended by the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) last night. There was an attendance of delegates and others who taxed the seating capacity of the City Council Chambers. " In extending to the members of your association the greetings of the city," said the Mayor, "I am conscious of the great and distinguished services to the State given ungrudgingly and continu- | ously, without fee or reward, by the members of your association across the length and breadth of the land. I use the terms great and distinguished advisedly, for it seems to me that no service to society is more worthy of recognition and honour than that performed by our courts of justice. That w r e have such a large and representative body of leading citizens willing to devote their time to supplement the work of our stipendiary magistrates in the police court is a matter for congratulation." The Mayor went on to say that the honourable tradition associated with the office of a justice must be a matter of pride to every one of them, and he hoped they would always regard that tradition as a solemn trust. Apart from judicial duties-, there were many less public but equally worthy tasks, . involving all holders of their office, and the performance of these served a very useful purpose in the community. The Deputy Mayor (Cr J. J. Marlow) associating himself with the Mayor in his Velcome to the delegates, eaid he felt that their organisation did an immense amount of good in raising the status of members. He was confident that every member of the conference would, at its conclusion, consider that some real good had been done and that as a result the justices would feel more qualified to hold his Majesty's commission. The city authorities would do all in their power to make the stay of the visitors an enjoyable one. Mr J. R. Bartholomew, as the senior magistrate, remarked on the fact that he was associated with the Mayor in a civic welcome. "His Worship, of course," added Mr Bartholomew, "can associate with anyone."—(Laughter.) However, the one concern of the delegates in this instance was in the welfare of the community, in so far as it was bound up with the administration of the law, which was the cornerstone of society. Owing to that circumstance, he was able to be associated in the welcome that night. The office of a justice, proceeded the speaker, was a great and honourable one. Since they were always moving with the times, that office was not now a purely male prerogative. A number of ladies had been selected to fill the office of justices in the Dominion, and he himself had one associated with him in the Children's Court in Dunedin. He desired to acknowledge the readiness with which members of the local Justices' Association sent members along when their services were needed in the courts. He thought it was an excellent idea to have associations in the different towns and to hold conferences, at which they could discuss matters of interest and importance to themselves. "In your discussions," concluded 'Mr Bartholomew, " you may stumble across an occasional mare's nest. Should that be the case, it will be all to the good, for discussion always clears the air."

On behalf of the Otago Association, Mr T. D. B. Paterson welcomed the visitors and thanked the City Council for the civic welcome which had been extended to the delegates and for the use of the City Council Chambers for their meetings. During the course of the evening, it was mentioned that two members of the Auckland City Council—Crs A. Rosser and Dawson Donaldson —were included aitiong the delegates. A special welcome to them was extended by Cr W. A. Scott, who said he hoped that the delegates would enjoy the functions arranged for them. The president of the federation (Mr

Arthur Rosser) acknowledged the welcome which had been extended, and in the course of his remarks said the annual conference was of incalculable benefit to the justices of the Dominion. The incoming president (Mr J. W. Dove) also responded to the' welcome, and brief replies were made by the representatives of the various district branches. During the evening the registrar (Mr A. J. Stratford) read a telegram from the Prime Minister (Mr G. \V. Forbes) expressing regret that, owing to press of parliamentary business, it was not possible for a Cabinet Minister to b» in Dunedin for the opening of the conference.