The Great "J.P." Question.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1839, 2 June 1886, Page 2

The Great "J.P." Question.

Some very remarkable statements ware made in the House during a recent discussion on the Justices of Peace Bill. Mr Hursthouse objected to Chairmen of Road Boards being made, ex officio, “ JP.’s,” .because some of them, though estimable men, were not fit for the Magisterial position. Mr Te Ao did 1 not think storekeepers should be allowed to be justices, because some of them could not write, and only the best educated persons should be selected. Mr Fitzheibert said there should be at least this qualification—that a Justice should be able to read and write. He recollected, in bis district, a Justice being appointed who could do neither, and when a paper was taken him to sign he turned it upside down, and said be would consult the Minister of Justice on the subject. In the South Island, one Justice was interested in a case in Court, and lost it because of the absence of a witness. Rest week he sat on the bench and fined the witness £3 for contempt of Court. Mr Buckland objected to Mayors of Boroughs being made, ex officio, “ J.P.'s,’ *‘ because they were generally brewers ” —a statement which, if true, is rather surprising. Mr Wakefield said be had an amendment to propose, which, if carried, would obviate any further amendments. He would move that all persons registered as electors for the return of members to the House of Representatives should be appointed Justices. He would like also to include ladies. Mr Hobbs said they did not want any puffs or cigarettes in the House. (Laughter.) Sir George Grey thought the discussion might be stopped by the following amendment—" It shall be lawful to elect Justices of the Peace in the manner herein provided,’’ The clauses—(dealing with elective Justices)—which he intended to move he would bring down next sitting day. Sir George Grey’s proposal was carried, and should bis elective clauses be also adopted and the Bill finally pass, the system of the people electing the " J.P.’s " will come into force in this colony. We don’t know how the elective system will work as applied to the creation of “ J.P.’s,” but it is worth trying the experiment. The manner in

whiou * lloc essive Governments in this colony have . “ an £. unfit to be “ J.P.’g ’* has been au b “oandaloug and disgraceful. There are some " J.P. s in this colony to ignorant, illiterate, and pig-headed that in the exercise of their Magisterial functions they commit themselves twice as often as they commit other people.