THE COLONIST Published Daily—Mornings. Nelson, Wednesday, May 22, 1895. THE STATUS OF JUDGES.

Colonist, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8254, 22 May 1895, Page 2

THE COLONIST Published Daily — Mornings. Nelson, Wednesday, May 22, 1895. THE STATUS OF JUDGES.

The recent action of a Victorian County Court Judge, who from the Bench implied, while delivering a judgment, tbat he was liable to pains and penalties at the hands of the Ministry of the day, has naturally given rise to much comment. Tnat the Judge in question has received a

rebuke at the hands of the Government is only wbat might have been expected, for his remarks were tantamount to the making of a grave charge against the integrity of the Ministers of the Crown. Now, if there is one thing that Britons, whether in the Fatherland or in the Colonies, pride themselves upon more than another it is purity in the administration of justice, and that there is room for satisfaction in this respect is undoubted Judges of lower Courts may, and we believe do, feel themselves aggrieved because their tenure of office is not wholly secure, but though Judges may at times have to take up a position in which they are unsupported by the popular voice, there is still a feeling of deep respect for the views of those who are known to be men of integrity. In New Zealand occupants of the Bench havie invariably been held in the highest estimation, and the Colony ha 3 certainly cause to be proud of the fact that justice has been weighed in scales above all suspicion of having been tampered with. Our Supreme Court Judges, have been and are men who are above being carried aw" v by personal feelings or pique. That such men should be placed in an independent position, and made free from present or future cares relative to an income sufficient to maintain a proper dignity, cannot be questioned by those appreciating the responsibilities of the Judges. Under certain circumstances, it would be well that the Judges of the inferior Courts and Magistrates should be placed upon an entirely independent position, but the desirability of continuing certain Courts on their present status has scarcely been accepted positively, and there has thus been some objection to making the appointments of so permanent a nature as might be desirable under other conditions. For all that, there has been no suspicion that any improper influence has been brought to bear upon any public officers entrusted with tha administration of justice, and we are very certain that if any such influence were attempted the people of the Colony would instantly show that they have a jealous desire to guard the fountains of justice. It is satisfactory to knew that the greatest respect is paid to our Judges and Magistrates, and seeing that their doings are laid open to the strongest light, this shows that there is a feeling of confidence. While such exists, a mistaken Ministry, and certainly a corrupt one, if the existence of such could be imagined, would at once receive a check if it were to attempt to interfere with an administrator of justice who was merely doing his duty. Admitting this, and a denial may with confidence bo dared, no., judge need have any fear when performing his duties, and it is with satisfaction we are able to state that we know of no case in New Zealand where there has been such fear.