LEGAL "REFORMS."

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17418, 31 March 1922, Page 11

LEGAL "REFORMS."

N.S. WALES GOVERNMENT'S PBOPOSALS. (FROM OTTR OWN OOBBE9PONBBNT.) SYDNTSY, March 55. The way of transgressors 5s hard, so Scripture affirms, but the New South ■Wales Labour Ministry proposes to soften It as much as possible by a ntimber of '"reforms," which tho SolicitorGeneral (Mr Sproule) has outlined. Doubtless having regard to the tender feelings of persons charged with offences there aro to be no more docks to hold them up to the notloe of the curious in Court. Witnesses are to be allowed to remain seated 1 when giving evidence. The criminal law Is to he revised with a view to eliminate what are termed excessive, obsolete, and vindictive punishments. What is classified as class legislation, euch as the Master and Servants Act, the Landlord and Tenant Act, is to be amended, too, in favour of tenant and servants, and separate Courts are to bo provided for women and children. There Is to be a department of legal aid to advise ana defend all persons charged with offences who have not the means to defend themselves. Wigs, gowns, and other legal adornments are to be abolished, and there is to be a bureau of land transfer to deal quickly and cheaply with land transfers. The unfortunate persons who are arrested for offences against the law- appear to be the chief objects of the _ Ministry'? solicitude. The most certain and the cheapest way to benefit them would be to abolish the police. Then might, the millennium of the Ministerial proteges indeed arrive in New South Wales. where apparently Bociety is not to be'protected against the_ criminal, but the criminal against society.