FEDERAL JUDGES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1462, 24 May 1905, Page 2

FEDERAL JUDGES.

THE TROUBLE WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL.

By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyrlghi Received 11.27 p.m„ May 23.

Sydney, May 28. in the High Court, Chief Justice Griffith made a statement regarding the contretemps between the Commonwealth Government and the Federal Judiciary over travelling expenses. He read memoranda showing that members of the High Court Sbt A? ry 16th em Phatically protested to the At.orney General that it was not competent for him, acting department-ally, to determine travelling expenses. Such a doctrine would involve intolerable interferenoe, the Bench notifying it intended to adhere to the present understanding until the Governor-General in Council saw fit to authorise a departure. A reply from the Attorney-General, received on April •ioth, indicated that he persisted in his right to treat the whole matter as entirely in his discretion. After further communications, Sir Samuel Griffith yesterday wired to Mr Eeid, asking him as head of the Government to give assurance that travelling expenses would be regulated retrospectively from January Ist and allowances on a definite basis, and cX e t B to“day. rePly ' b 0 ‘ he Sitting 0f the Mr Eeid replied, asking him to address th c to , tbs Attorney-General, the official head of the Ministerial Department dealing with the matter. If ho did so in the ordinary form of official correspondence, and requested consideration, he had no doubt a satisfactory solution would m ; He .°° noluded -“lam bound to add that even if your telegram had been addressed to the proper Minister it would be impossible to overlook the peremptory Sir Samuel Griffith said the result of the difficulty was a practical refusal by the Government to place funds at the disposal he^,i? dge3 for expenses Judge O Conner, who lives in Molffiiurno' was left to defray his expenses out of his’ own pocket. A mooting of the TTiob 30th Ct wl’T fi , x ? d a 6 Brisbane for fL as th' n ther th V would fa a postponed, as the Melbourne sitting had to be, would bo decided when Judge O'Connor returned to byflncy. He deeply regretted having to make the announcement, but their dutv to themselves and their office left no alter