THE JURY SYSTEM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18378, 21 April 1934, Page 4

THE JURY SYSTEM

DEPENDED BY JUDGE REPLY TO CRITICISM (Tor Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. A strong defence of the jury system, and a reply to those who have suggested its abolition were put forward by Mr. Justice Johnston in a Commemoration Day address at Canterbury Col--1 He remarked that persons with experience were convinced that juries were the best tribunals to deal with questions of fact. “Our English system of justice demands assistance in its administration of people at large,” said His Honor. Our cases are put to the people, as represented by juries, and all questions of fact are put to the 12 men who represent the country in the various cases. It is common enough for cheap criticism to say that juries are not to be trusted, but at the same time you have to consider that most experienced people—people of experience of hundreds of juries are convinced that the jury is the best tribunal to decide matters of fact. His Honor added: “There was a striking case of the deep feeling in the minds of English lawyers, and how deep a place the jury has in our system ot jurisprudence, in a Wanganui case taken before the Privy Council last year. It was that of a Chinese who was riding a motor-cycle and was run down by a man driving a car. The case came before three juries in New Zealand. The hrst could not agree, the second, the judge thought, was perverse, and the third answered questions which the Court of Appeal thought were inconsistent, and gave judgment without a jury at all. When the Privy Council heard the case it was decided that the findings of the second jury were conclusive, and judgment must he given according to them.’