JUDGE ATTACKED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 72

JUDGE ATTACKED.

BY ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Alay 3. A remarkable statement—by a judge—during the quarter sessions at West Alartland, New South AA’ales, was followed the next day by an equally remarkable scene in the court, when the judge was subjected to a verbal attack by a Roman Catholic priest. The ease which had been before the court nas one in 'which a nurse eaarged with performing an illegal operation. The victim of the operation died, apparently owing to the carelessness of the nurse, and in summing up Air Justice Janies said: I have often wondeied why skilled men were not allowed to perform these operations. But as the law stands people doing so must be punished.” ’ J hat was all, and the remark might have passed almost unnoticed had it not aroused the ire of Father O’Gorman, parish priest at AVest Alaitland. The next morning, when Air Justice James took his seat on the Bench, Father O’Gornian rushed into the court, and, stepping into the dock shouted to the judge these words: “ Your Honor, before this court closes, I wish publicly to protest in the name of this town" against the remark you made about the legalising of abortion. It is outrageous” and a standing disgrace. This is the sort of thing that is done in the slums of Turkey.” The judge invited Father O'Gorinan to come closer, and then he said: “ I expressed no opinion on the matter.' I merely said that I have often wondered why skilled men should not be permitted to do these things. However, that was not the law, and as the law stood, it must be carried out. You, as a minister of religion, must have wondered, too.” Father O’Gorman, satisfied to have made his protest, then withdrew from the court and the scene ended. In an interview subsequently Father O’Gornian said that his position in the matter was very simple. There was a commandment of God, “ Thou shalt not kill.” That commandment was as saered for the unborn child as it was for the King on the throne. Alurder was unjustifiable in all circumstances. The end could never justify the means. No Government was ever given the right to take the life of an innocent person, and therefore no Government could confer upon a medical man a right which it did not itself possess. The judge’s - nouncement he regarded as scanda. Australia needed population. God had given Australians a glorious country to populate, but if Air Justice James’s doctrine prevailed another nation would soon step in.