AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 18

AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

An important and a very lengthy petition from District Judge Kettle has been presented by Dr Newman. After setting forth "the necessity for ensuring the fearless and impartial administration of justice and for keeping the judges free from any possible Executive control or influence, the petition points out that as long as tbe judge of a court holds office upon the slender tenure of the Governor's pleasure, and his salary is dependent upon the annual vote of Parliament, absolute impartiality cannot be counted upon with certainty. In Jnly 1893 the petitioner had some correspondence with the Premier upon these points, urging that the tenure of office should be altered, that the judges should hold office during ability and good behaviour instead of the pleasure of the Governor, and that the salary of district judges should not be leß3 than £800 a year. The reply nob being satisfactory, the petitioner now prays tha House to cause the law to be amended in the direction above indicated, and also to make the salaries of all district judges of like amount, placing them on the permanent civil list, and making it impossible to reduce the salary of any judge during his tenure of office.