JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 June 1933, Page 4

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Legal circles in the Dominion appear to be much disturbed concerning the Government proposal to make more use of Justices of the Peace in the Magistrate’s Court. It is held by some solicitors in their public comments on the matter that Justices of the Peace are generally’ incompetent to dispense justice, while others consider that the further use of Justices would detract from the dignity of the Bench. The Justices of the Peace, for their part, could make equally uncomplimentary remarks concerning the legal profession. While we are not in favour of extending the present powers of the Justices of the Peace, we are strongly of opinion that the examinations in connection with passing for a solicitor should be tightened up in order that only the more intelligent and better type of man could become a solicitor. This is a particularly desirable step, because it is from the ranks of the solicitors that our judges and magistrates are selected. It is necessary that our magistrates should be highly skilled in their, profession, and able to dispense justice fearlessly and consistently. There is a need on the part of the Bench to more firmly administer the law so that crime may be kept down; undue leniency is only an encouragement to continue wrong-doing.