IN CHANCERY

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 55, 29 November 1926, Page 10

IN CHANCERY

Sir,—Your issue of Friday last contained a report of an interview given your representative by a New Zealand solicitor on his return from England in which the view (amongst others) is expressed that the salaries of H.M. Judges there might well be reduced by ■ half. May I point out that taxation in, England has gone far to carry into effect the economy desired, for a reference to Whitaker’s Almanac will show that income and super tax on a salary of £5OOO reaches in round figures £l4OO • a'year. Such is the burden of Empire. . The cost of administration of justice is defrayed out of litigants’ fees, except for, I believe, the "price of two Judges,** and it might be deemed invidious to wield the axe upon the Judges of the Supreme Court without giving the same cut to those of lesser degree. In accepting office it is well known that the Judges make a large pecuniary sacrifice, and the effect of a reduction would be to convert the dignity into a pensioner’s job. Your informant can hardly be aware that the Geddes axe was used 'in Hie Courts as well as in the departments not long since. While English • administration is so admired by our American cousins surely one of the family might be well content to remain silent if ho is unable to praise, or is he what is known as a "clever colonial?*’ No doubt he considers hie views upon Chancery and the long vacation as novel. Better subjects have been discussed ad nauseam in the profession and elsewhere, and it may be there is some advantage not patent to him, otherwise ■ they might not have been retained. The English are neither decadent nor stupid. —I am, etc., ENGLISH SOLICITOR. November 26.