BIRKENHEAD AT AUCTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 9

BIRKENHEAD AT AUCTION

COMPLAINT IN THE COMMONS REFERENCE TO PENSION (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Friday. The Earl of Birkenhead’s pension, as an ex-Lord Chancellor, of £ 5,000 a year, was referred to during a debate on the Bill for increasing the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Mr. J. H. Hudson (Labour): We are confronted by one of these judges setting himself to auction, seeking positions, and making it clear that he is out for a great deal more than he has hitherto received. We should make it clear that we will not place such a man in a High Court in future cases. The Attorney-General, Sir Thomas Inskip, said Lord Birkenhead had taken a course to which he was perfectly entitled, so far as the rules of constitutional practice were concerned. The best check on errors of judgment would be public opinion. Captain Wedgwood Benn (Labour) said Lord Birkenhead enjoyed judicial emoluments and earned commercial emoluments at the same time. Sir Thomas Inskip said he. did not agree with this. The pension was a consideration for judicial duties at present being performed.