The Waikato Argus, [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8500 Weekly. THURSDAY JUNE 15, 1911.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4730, 15 June 1911, Page 2

The Waikato Argus, [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8500 Weekly. THURSDAY JUNE 15, 1911.

A question was put to Mr Asquith recently bearing upon the appointment of Justices of the Peace. It came from the Radical benches, accompanied by a statement that the Lord Chancellor, in whom rostt the appointments, has, as a rule, appointed men with Conservative tendencies, and has passed over those of the political colour of hia party. This opens the issue whether these offices shall he filled by the most competent men available, irrespective of political opinion, or be given as a reward for party services, or the theory acted upon, that both parties should be equally represented without regard to the qualifications of those chosen, in order to bring about numerical equality. Mr Asquith stated plainly that he would not interfere with "a Lord Chancellor who adheres to the practice of selecting the best men he can find, regardless of their political complexions. He, however, stated that the report of a Royal Commission would be acted upon and advisory local committees be set up, whose functions it will be to supply the Lord Chancellor with local knowledge, particularly the 1 names of persons eligible to fill vacancies. How and by whom these chmmittees are to be selected is not stated: neither is it stated whether the Lord Chancellor is to be forced to adopt the suggestions of his advisers. Whatever machinery may bo adopted, the all-important necessity, itjhas been pointed out, is that judicial appointments shall not be treated as spoils of party.

This is exactly what happens in this Dominion whenever a hatch of Justices is gazetted. These appoint ments arc used in the most brazenmanner for the purpose of bribery or reward. The principle is generally recognised as being in force. In fart, it has become a common joke to chaff a man who takes part in electoral politics that he is bidding for a Justiceship, and that success depends upon the return of the particular member for whom he is touting. The evil of the system we have sketched is not brought so plainly as it might be before the public eye, as the great majority of cases involving any difficult points of law are hoard by the Stipendiary Magistrates. The dutiei of the Justices of the Peace arc mainly confined to signing their names to forma! documents, trying a drunkard, or dealing with a thief; and in the performance of them functions they have the as istancc of the clerk of the Court. r l hat the evil is limited by circumstances affords no reason why whole sheaves of Commissions of the Peace should be issued periodically on political party grounds.