The New Judge.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6847, 8 May 1890, Page 2

The New Judge.

He is not sitting, though there is plenty of work. The reason in well-informed circles ia believed to be that there are doubts about hia legal position. It is said, in fact, to be an open secret that there ia to be a special Act for removin g these doubts. That being the case, the Government will have to explain why the appointment ' waa made before the session. If it is necessary to ask Parliament to legalise the appointment, surely it was necessary to ash Parliament to make it. That, however, if a comparatively minor matter. Ie may hi very right and proper, and essentiallj necessary, thai the Commissioner of Native Lands should have the same standing and privileges as a Judge of the Supreme Court. If the reasons are good they will no doubt convince Parliament, indeed now ; that the man has been appointed, tho hind of Parliament may bo said to be in a 1 manner forced. The Government are probably strong enough to carry the measure, bub the chances are that thej will have to bear the brunt of an unpleasant debate. At all events, it is satisfactory to know that they have \ not acted on tho wretched reasoning by ! which their apologists supported the theory that everything was as it should be. What is not satisfactory is that in so important a matter as a Judgeship there should have been so great a blunder.