LAW PRACTITIONERS ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 14

LAW PRACTITIONERS ACT.

VIEWS OF THK ATTORNEYGENERAL. (Pxx United Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, February 1.

The Senate of the University of New Zealand has passed a resolution asking the Government to repeal "The Law Practitioners Act, 1896," which enacts that i solicitor who has been in practice for five years becomes ipso facto a barr'Ster of th."> Supreme Court. On being interviewed by a Press rcpree<ntative today the Attornoj -general (the Hon. Dr Findlay) expressed in clear and forcible language his opinions of the Law Practitioners Act of 1898. He said: "I agreo with the \iews expressed by several members of tho Senate, although this n.atter has in r.o way been discussed by my colleagues, that the act giving the right to one who has only psssed his solicitor's examinations to be enrolled as a barrister at the end of five years should be repealed. I» nearly overy calling requiring special training and special knowledge the law has increased the severity of the examinations and other tests This is conspicuously so in connection with medicine and dentistry, and in many directions those holding responsible positions are required to pa=s searching examinations. The real purpose of all this is that the public should be protected against incompetence and the consequent loss either to health or property. The present system of allowing one who has merely qualified as a solicitor to become a barrister by effluxion of time etrongly tends to destroy the inducement to young men to pass the higher and more difficult examinations now prescribed for barristers. In my v;ew, now that articles are abolished. and no one seeking admission to the legal profession requires to pay a premium or serve any term either in a barrister's chambers or in a solicitor's office, there is the amplest opportunity given to any younjman who is fit to hold a brief to qualify as a barrister in the usual way If he cannot so qualify, then he is better out of the profession. If he can so qualify, then you are offering a premium to idleness and to incomplete study by giving him the nlace and the privileges of a barrister without his passin? the proper examinations. Every student of Democracy recognises that it is in the highest, interests of the public that the legal profession should be required to possess not only a high standard of professional honour, but a high standard of professional knowledge,'