PERJURY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 5262, 13 October 1891, Page 4

PERJURY.

A great deal has been heard of late from the judges, says a London paper, about tho perjury that taints nearly overy tribunal m the land. And no one oan doubt, if he be either a frequent attendant m the courts of justice or a steady reader of legal and police news, that falßeßwearing is, unhappily, on tbe increase. But what is the reason why a man should apeak truly m the wit.nesß-box f First there is the obligation of his oath or bis affirmation, and hia general duty to sooiety of wbich be forms part. Next, there is the fear of punishment if he is found out. Then there are the terrors of divine vengeance if he falsely take God to witness that whioh be Bays is true. But all of these considerations perpetually foil to influence rren ond women who are willingly or un willingly nailed upon to testify beFore. an earthly judge. Experienced lawyers ore almost at one m the opinion that perjury ia increasing. We have no longer men with straw m their bo"ta, as a visible sign of their calling, banging about, the Law Courts ready to swear black is -white, or oontrariwise, for a consideration. But laxity m regard to oaths is widespread, and when we do find v man who tells the truth at risk to himself we let him suffer. So, at least, it would seem. The trade unions of the country are now considering the case of a late stationraaater on the Cambrian Railway, who is said to have testified m a reoent inquost tbat tho death wob due to the bad state of the permanent way. It ia alleged tbat he has been disoharged m oonsequenoo, and is now a gentleman at large, without income, and with ample leisure to refleot upon the disadvantage of saying what ho believed to bo the truth. Tho President of the Board of Trade should immediately take steps to learn whether these things are co. And if they ure, it ia hia bounden duty to expose ard censure the company and the officers who exeroiee its authority.