LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1879, 13 October 1913, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

JUDGES' RETIRINC ACE.

Sir, —Ono cannot help boing amused at tlio expression of opinion of a mere layman, albeit a member of Parliament, expressing an adverse opinion upon tho Hon. the Attorney-Goneral's admirable Bill for the improvement of tho judicature of New Zealand. Mr. HerdmanV Bill is a carofully conceived design for the betterment of tho judicial system, find, had he included, as suggested by tho honourable member referred to, a provision that all judges should rotiro at tho age of 65 years, ho would havo been very ill-advised. Some of tho ablest judges in tho British Empire aro over tho ago of 65 years, and I venture to point out (quite apart from Now Zealand) the eminent jurists tho Empire would loso wore such a rulo to como into force throughout the Empire. The list is somewhat voluminous. Lord Ma'cna'ghteii, ono of tlio Lords of Appeal in Ordinary in England, and' the Ki"ht Hon. Sir Christopher Palles, of the King's Bench Division in Ireland, are each 82 veara of ago. Lord Kinnoar, a Lord of Session in Scotland, is 79 years of age. Sir John- Hay Macdonald, Lord Justice Clerk in Scotland, is 76 years of age. Sir Roland Vaughan Williams, a Lord Justico of Appeal in England, is 74 years of age. Sir Matthom Jovco, of the High Court of Justico in England, is 73 .years of ago. Lord Alverstone, Lord Chief. Justice or England; Irf>rd O'Brien, Lord Chiof Justico of Ireland; Lord do Yilliers, Chief Justice of the Sunreme Court of South Africa; and Sir Reginald .More Bray, of the King's Bench Division m England, are each 70 years of age: Sir Edward Ridley, of tho King's Bench Division in England, is 69 years of age. Lord Atkinson and Lord Moulton, Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, in England, and tho Right Hon. Sir Louis Davies, of the Supreme Court of Canada, aro cach.6B years of ago. Sir George Farwell and Sir Henry Buckley, Lords Justice of Appeal in England; Sir Walter Phillimore, Sir Thomas Bucknil, and Sir Alfred Lawrence, of the King's Bonch Division in England, and the Right Hon. Sir Samuel Griffith, Chief Justice of the Commonwealth of Australia, are eaoh 67 years of age.' Finally, Sir W. Rann Kennedv, o Lord Justice of Appeal in England, is 66 years of nge. These 21 gentlemen, all over 65 years of ago,, compriso somo of tho ablest, jurists m the British Empire; to enforce their retirement would bo to the Empire's judiciary. If so elsewhere, why pot in New Zealand?—l am, etc., PERCIVAL R. WADDY.