THE NEW JUDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 233, 2 October 1928, Page 10

THE NEW JUDGE.

TALKS TO ADVERTISERS.

"A LITTLE SERMON."

PRESERVING A BALANCE.

"A little sermon," was the description given by Mr. Justice Smith to his halfhour's talk to-day to members of the Auckland Advertising Club. In introducing the speaker the chairman, Mr. A. H. Lees, said the club was proud to extend a welcome to Mr. Justice Smith, who was the youngest judge who had ever been appointed to the Supreme Court of this country. His Honor, who was warmly applauded, corrected Mr. Lees, stating that he believed the late Mr. Justice Williams had held the distinction. The limitations of office, stated the speaker, made it difficult to speak upon the subjects most likely to interest his audience. He could not, of course, refer to such topics as Parliamentary elections. "If in this centre you have any municipal troubles," he added, with a twinkle of the eye, "I am precluded by my office from mentioning them." He quoted Jas. Russell Lowell as having said: "Blessed is the man who has nothing to say and cannot be persuaded to say it." Because of the restrictions mentioned he would confine his attention to some general observations. Modern Business Trend. His Honor then proceeded to explain how business had become in modern times more and more specialised. With intensive specialisation the business man of to-day had really become a professor of knowledge in his particular line. He should in consequence be able to render better service to the community. Nowadays a true representative of the legal profession would not drive his client to litigation but would advise him according 'to his honest opinion. The old motto was "Caveat emptor," "let the buyer beware." To-day a different attitude was apparent and the business men tended to adopt a professional attitude and to render a real service to their clientele. Myriads of individual instances had created -an altered trend in the business world. As a result of this specialisation it had become necessary for a business man to guard against the narrowing tendencies of an exclusive occupation. For him a holiday was useful, and in this connection he could make no better suggestion than that he should render unpaid social service along philanthropic lines for the community. Thus he would preserve a proper balance. Time to Think. • Another reflection he would make in his little sermon was that a man should give' himself some time to stand, stare and think. The beauties of nature, as exemplified in the heavens, the green pastures, the trees and parks were frequently lost sight of through over-pre-occupation of people, in their daily affairß. Without time to think one lost that proper perspective whicli should bring a feeling of unity with the whole of mankind and of nature.