THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11340, 2 May 1912, Page 5

THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

After luncheon, a representative deputation from the legal profession in Masterton, headed by Mr A. R. Bunny, waited upon Mr Hanan, and after being introduced by Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P., welcomed the Minister to tho town upon his first visit as Minister of Justice. In replying to the good wishes of the legal profession in Masterton. Mr Hanau said it was his desire to see the best traditions of the profession upheld, and he hoped that his administration of the Department of Justice and auv legislation affecting the profession'which he might assist in placing on tho Statute Book would help to maintain its status, and work for the beueiit of New Zealand. The bettor status of the profession and its members, the better would it bo for society. Ho thanked them for their good wishes. THE COURTHOUSE LIBRARY. Mr Bunny drew tho attention of the Minister to the fact that a rumour was current to the effect that it was not proposed by tho Government to furnish tho library in the new Courthouse. Mr Bunny said lie hoped that rumour was not true. A comfortably furnished library was very necessary for the legal profession. He was not referring to books—that was the concern of tho Law Society—but he thought tho furniture necessary for a library ought to bo supplied. Mr Hanan. in reply, said that, as a member ot the legal profession himself, lie was fully alive to the importance of providing well-equipped libraries in all our Courthouses for tho use of barristers, magistrates, and Justices of the Peace. In country towns the legal profession were at sonic disadvantage as compared with the bar iv the cities, and it was directly in the interests of tho people themselves that, properly equipped libraries should be provided so that they should be iv a position to enjoy tho superior advice which their legal advisors should, under such circumstances, bo aldo to give thorn. Unless well equipped reference libraries wore provided in the country towns, Court practice would inevitably bo driven into the cities, and this would increase the expenses and delays of the law to the people. The Courts must be made the people's Courts in tho fullest sense, and no would have great pleasure in seeing what, could bo done in this respect. The Minister Hum paid a visit of inspection to the Courthouse.