PAYMENT OF JURORS

Otago Witness, Issue 3413, 13 August 1919, Page 42

PAYMENT OF JURORS

DEPUTATION TO MR WILFORD. •WELLINGTON, August 7. A deputation representing the jurors summoned for the present session of the Supremo Court waited on the Hon. T. M. Wilford to-day to urge an increase in the payment made to jurors. Mr W. B. Gough said that-jurors, if they were discharged before 12 o'clock, received 4s, and if required after that hour, Bs. This was altogether inadequate for the" important service rendered. The Minister had remedied many grievances, and they confidently appealed to him to put this one right, if it was in his power. The Minister said that, although he had from the floor of the House urged that an increase should bo made, he had not had an opportunity of putting the position effectively before his colleagues till he became Minister of Justice. The rate of pay for common jurors was fixed at 8s and 4s by statute, and no increase could be made until the Act was amended, as tho Audit Department would not pass any payment above that authorised. The rate was fixed years and years ago, when 8s was Erobably considered a fair day's pay. Ho ad considered whether, in altering tho rate, a new scale shouid he fixed by Act or whether provision should be made for the rate of pay to bo determined from tim© to time by an Order-in-ObunCil, which would mean that the Minister of Justice, with the approval of Cabinet, would have power to Gazette new rates of pay if the cost of living went higher. The old Act allowed nothing for locomotion expanses, such as train, boat, and coach fares, or horse hire in the country districts. It seemed to him that it was better to have a new Act repealing the old clauses, and fixing no new rate, but leaving it to be determined by an Order-in-CounclL A Bill had been prepared and printed for introduction to Parliament this session, and had been approved by Cabinet without alteration. In addition to provision for the payment of jurors attending the Supreme Court and coroners' inquests, the Bill provided for the payment of actual locomotion expenses, including rail, coach, and steamboat fares, etc., according to a scale to be fixed. Ho had foreseen everything asked for, and he did not think a member of the House would raise his voice against it. He fully agreed with what the deputation had said. Common jurors had important, distasteful, and onerous duties to perform, and it was necessary that the State should secure the services of good men who were satisfied and understood their responsibility. < Mr Gough thanked tho Minister for hia very satisfactory reply.