CONFESSED DEBTORS.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13843, 15 October 1913, Page 6

CONFESSED DEBTORS.

MAGISTRATE PROTESTS AGAINST

PUBLICITY

[United Pukss Association.]

Wellington, Oct 14

Before the Magistrate's Court rose after the civil list was finished to-day, Dr McArthur, S.M., said he wished to make a statement with reference to a publication which had been shewn him. In it a list of those persons who had confessed or consented to judgment in the Magistrate's Court was published. "Now, it has always been my practice from the time that I came here," said his Worship, "that such lists should not be given out of our books at all, and I have expressed the opinion that the Court, is decidedly opposed to any such publication whatever. I have always forbidden (and I have every reason to believe that my instructions have been carried out by the office) that any information as to confessions or consents should be given out. lam throwing no imputation whatever upen the members of the Press who report the proceedings here, and whose reports I have observed 'have been a fanrepresentation of what has been done. I don't consider it fair thatany notice whatever should be taken of the names of those who have confessed judgment. • ■ - . . "There is also another point," continued the .Magistrate. "My attention' has been called to what I would designate as a black-list, which provides certain names and addresses. This blacklist I consider an unwarrantable-use of means so-called to protect creditors. It presents a negative method of stating that certain persons are not financial.