THE WESTPORT MURDER CASE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1011, 29 December 1910, Page 2

THE WESTPORT MURDER CASE.

Sir, —This case has shown how those entrusted by lis, the people of this 'Dominion, blunder. It was also shown that Andersen's evidence was not taken. Tho man was innocent, ho had no chance to defend himself, he Was condemned for murder done by a man who was released by our law court. A ' grave injustice has been, done to' Andersen, although our Government has not compensated his parents, as the man died through tho Court employed by our Government not taking his evidence.. We, the people of New Zealand, should see that full compensation is scut to Andersen's parents in Norway, and that those heroes who so nobly stuck up for fair play and truth in his defence receive the full value from our Government. Also, an Act should be passed allowing full compensation . for all who are unjustly sen-, fenced or imprisoned,' on the samo lines as the Act in forco in Andersen's country, Norway. Other cases have come to light. John Meikle is only one martyr to our incomplete system of dealing out our- questionable justice. It is better that several guilty men escape than that one innocent person be unjustly condemned. It must be hard on the jury and Judge who make such errors. If tho State had to pay tull compensation for all mistakes, and the Judge had tho right to disagree with a jury's verdict if he know it was wrong, we should have fewer mistakes. Tho Judge summed up' in favour of Connelly, against the jury's- opinion that he was guilty. The Judge, is a Government employee, and tho Government must pay Andersen's parents. A sum of £1000 claimed by tho Norwegian Consul, Mr. K, R. Whyte. Mr. Whyte is a.true white man, as well as Messrs. M'Donald and Herdman. Wo must wipe out this blot of having caused the death of a subject of Norway by a miscarriage of justice. We are far too ready to imagine foreigners more prono to weakness than' our own people. What does Norway- think of us now? Our law is much too crude, If Judges made the same mistakes in Norway, costing tho country compensation, .such Judges would get. discharged, as they would ;bo too- expensive; for us to maintain as such. Blessed is ' .JUSTICE.