WANTED ON BENCH

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22183, 29 January 1942, Page 4

WANTED ON BENCH

Magistrate Serving In Reserve DEPARTMENTAL APPEAL CONTESTED (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 28 "I emphatically dissociate myself from this appeal, though I understand my own wishes cannot and ought not to be considered,” said Sergeant W. H. Woodward to-day when his withdrawal from the National Military Reserve to resume duties was asked by the Justice Department and supported by the Director of National Service. The Taranaki Manpower Committee reserved its decision. Sergeant Woodward, who appeared in mufti, disagreed with the Department’s view that he was indispensable and suggested the appointment of a temporary magistrate, adding "the only two things to be considered are whether my military duties are essention and whether I can be replaced in my magisterial job.” Captain S. F. Burgess said Sergeant Woodward was an experienced machine-gunner and likely to be commissioned. With the expected influx of inexperienced men called in the ballot it was essential for the Reserve to retain his services. The Under-Secretary for Justice wrote that the Director bf National Service held the view that as relief for a magistrate was so difficult and the work so essential it should have a prior claim to military duties. The extra work on magistrates made the position acute and the Minister of Justice 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 G. N. Morris and J. L. 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 temporarily appoint a lawyer, as legal business was slack at present. The committee expressed its appreciation of Sergeant Woodward's attitude.