SIR JOHN SALMOND

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 201, 20 May 1920, Page 6

SIR JOHN SALMOND

TAKES HIS SEAT AS A JUDGE

CONGRATULATIONS OF THE PROFESSION

When Sir John Salmond took his spat yesterday as a Judge of the Supreme OourF he was congratulated by the Bar upon his appointment. The court room was filled with members of the legal profession, including occupants of the Magisterial Bench. Sir John Findlay, K.C., expressed tire pleasure felt by the Bar at Sir John Salmond's elevation to the Supremo Court Uench. There was a double cause for congratulation in K the appointment, hecause the profession recognised that the Sunrepie Court Bench for months, and indeed' Tor years, past had been greatly overworked; and now there was the gratification of knowing that there was added to the Judiciary one of the most eminent of jurists. The work His Honour would have to do would no doubt be strenuous, and they fell confidant h° tvonld bring to if the necessary coM impartiality, tempered wife the mercy which the weaknesses of human nature at limes demanded. It was no Hue compliment fo' say that His Honour's appointment would add to the woifflit aud legal reliability nf the Bench. There was cause for gratification in this because they we™ all proua of their Supreme Court Bench'. They felt that it took second place to no judiciary in any of the Australian States. His .-Honour's success as Solicitor-General had been conspicuous. Sir John Flndlay referred to His Honour as the distinguished son of a distinguished father. His appointment should give the utmost satisfaction to all. A great deal was heard about the glorious uncertainty of the law, but the less uncertainty the law had, tho better for the people and the legal profession. The test way to reduce tnc uncertainty was to appoint to the Bench, men w.h'ose judgment had been tried and acknowledged. The legal profession hoped His Honour would be spared for many years to carry on fits judicial work. Tift profession looked forward to working with him and co-operating with him. His Honour, in acknowledging the compliment paid him, said ho trusted that th the exercise of his judicial office he would prove worthy of its high traditions and be able 'onilfil tlie expectations they had been good enough to express. During the vears of his practice at the Bar his relations with fellow-members of the profession had been uniformly cordial, friendly, and harmonious, and he did not doubt for a moment that they would continue so. It was a source of sincere gratification to -have the assurance of Sir John Findlay, on behalf of all the Bar, that the appointment had afforded thonipleasure. He recognised that tho Bar was the authorised compatent jnd formidable critic of the Bench, and if the appointment liuu their approval lie was glad.