FEWER MEMBERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 366, 7 March 1932, Page 7

FEWER MEMBERS.

Justices of the Peace to Confer. A slight decrease in the membership of the Federation of New Zealand Justices’ Associations haft occurred during the past two years, according to the annual report of that body, which will be presented to the annual conference of delegates when they' meet in Wanganui on Tuesday next. In 1929 there were 1501 members, in 1930 2057, and in 1931 1490 This decrease, says the report, has been caused principally bv the economic depression. It was hoped that the coming year would bring better conditions, and a resulting increase in membership. The financial statement shows that the year was commenced with a credit balance of £3l 3s 7d, and levies were received to the value of £3B 12s. One association had not yet sent in its return of membership, nor paid the levy. The expenses during the year amounted to £3O 11s lOd. Other expenses had been kept down to a minimum, and the rear ended with a credit balance of £39 3s 9d The conference will commence with a civic reception by the Mavor of Wanganui. After this function, the delegates will commence the business of the conference by installing the officers for the ensuing year. Remits from the various associations will then be considered. From the Otago association comes the following remit:—“That we urge upon the Minister of Justice the necessity of amending the regulation* so that the escorting of youngf persons when being taken to the Borstal or other reform institutions shall not be in uniform.” Another remit from the same association aims at the reinstatement of the free issue of postage stamps to all associations. Prison Visitors. From Canterbury comes a remit to the effect that two members of the association in each centre be appointed as prison visitors in their respective districts. Another remit from Canterburv asks that the suppression of name, except in exceptional circumstances, be discontinued. There was a strong public feeling that leniency in this direction aided and abetted crime, added the remit. With reference to fire inquests, a Canterbury remit asks the Minister of Justice to give every' facility for the holding of these inquests, with a view to ascertaining the cause and amount of loss incurred, and to bring to justice those wilfully concerned. "That an amendment to the Justices of the Peace Act be sought to protect Justices from financial responsibilities and penalties caused by error of judgment conscientiously, honestly and impartially made in the discharge of their duties,” is the wording of a remit from Wellington. This association also protests against any proposal to hold courts behind closed doors, thereby' excluding the general public from . free admittance during the hearing of proceedings. Wanganui makes a request that the licenses of all motorists convicted of driving motor vehicles while intoxicated. or else at a dangerous speed, be cancelled for a period of not less than a year. This could be done by amending section 28 of " The Motor Vehicles Act, 1924.”