“ BUSY MEN.”

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12568, 8 February 1934, Page 7

“ BUSY MEN.”

SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY. During the time that several jurors, summoned to appear at the quarterly session of the Supreme Court at Palmerston North, were making applications for exemption from service on account of pressure through business His Honour, Mr Justice Blair, had some remarks to make about business men being essential. On behalf of the employee of a bacon factory, counsel explained, in asking ffor exemption, that the company was in the middle of a busy season and, as one man was already absent through sickness, exemption was being sought for the employee called as juror. “I do not like the idea of these applications being made by a company with other employees,” replied His Honour, adding that if it could not’ do without a man temporarily it was time that it had a little practice. The particular exemption asked for was refused. When the chief packer explained that it was his assistant who was absent with a disability, His Honour granted the request to another employee of the company. A further application was then made for the chief buyer of a meat export company. “And what if somebody gets ill— I suppose the company would have to close down,” replied His Honour. “It is remarkable how the world can get on without essential people. I really believe that it could get along without me,” he said with a smile. The application was refused. Another buyer was granted exemption from the civil but not the criminal cases, it being explained that the panel was short.