MAGISTRATE AS SOLDIER

Southland Times, Issue 24655, 29 January 1942, Page 4

MAGISTRATE AS SOLDIER

Objection To Appeal

For Release

(P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, January 28. “I emphatically dissociate myself from this appeal though I quite understand my own wishes cannot and ought not to be considered,” stated Sergeant W. H. Woodward, Stipendiary Magistrate, today when his withdrawal from the National Military Reserve to resume his duties as asked by the Justice Department was supported by the Director of National Service. The Taranaki Man-Power Committee reserved its decision. Sergeant Woodward, in mufti, disagreed with the department’s view that he was indispensable and suggested the appointment of a temporary magistrate adding: “Only two things are to be considered. The first is whether my military duties are essential and the second is whether I can be replaced in my magisterial job.” Captain S. F. Burgess said Sergeant Woodward was an experienced machine-gunner and was likely to be commissioned and with the expected influx of inexperienced men called in the ballot it was essential for the reserve to retain his services. The Undersecretary of Justice (Mr B. L. Dallard) wrote to the Director of National Service about Sergeant Woodward’s mobilization and the Minister held the view as a relief for a magistrate was so difficult and the work was so essential that it should have a prior claim to military duties. Mr Dallard added that extra work on magistrates made the position acute and the Minister of Justice (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) felt it was absurd to make additional appointments to enable the present magistrate to engage in temporary military duties and then afterwards find an excess of magistrates. Also an experienced judiciary was essential to the national well-being. Sergeant Woodward said he had been in touch with two retired magistrates, Messrs Morris and Hewitt. Neither could serve in Taranaki, but could serve in Auckland. He suggested that an Auckland magistrate be transferred to Taranaki and a retired man take that place or else the department temporarily appoint a lawyer as legal business was slack at present. The committee expressed appreciation of Sergeant Woodward’s attitude.

Mr Woodward was stipendiary magistrate at Invercargill for a short time a number of years ago.