ABOLITION OF DISTRICT COURT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 October 1901, Page 3

ABOLITION OF DISTRICT COURT.

Superannuation of Judges

(OUR PAPLIAMBNTATY lEPOETEB.)

Wellington, This Day,

Mr Hanan to-day in urging upon the Minister for Justice the desirability of abolishing the District Court in the colony and arranging for judges of the Supreme Court to go on circuit. He said in the couisaofhis remarks that many of the Law Societies had expressed themselves as favorable to this proposed reform which would have the effect ofplaciag the higher admit-istration of the legal business of the country on a more advanced and satisfactory footing. In this connection he suggested the sitting up of a select committee or commission of judges and others to report during the recess on the proposal contained in his question, and also to consider and report on the improvements, which would simplify the pi’actieo and procedure of the Courts so that litigation might be cheapened in the interests of the people. Legal reform was very much wanted in the colony, and some steps should be taken to bring this about.

The Minister of Justice, in reply, said that having regard to the Hon. member’s qualifications to speak on the subject and the force of his arguments, lie recognised that this question was a very important cne and ho would now, that the subject was brought under his notice, give it. his earnest and serious consideration.

In reply to Mr Hanan’s question asking when the proposed Bill to provide for the compulsory superannuation of Judges at the age of sixty or sixty-five years would be introduced, the Minister for Justice said that at present ho was pleased to say that the present Supreme judges were a credit to the colony. The Government, however, were considering this question not only in regard to judicial officers but also in regard to the advanced age of Civil Servants who held high offices in other state departments.