OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2112, 21 June 1907, Page 2

OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

Press Association. DUNEDIN, yesterday. The Lbav Society is obtaining data as to the number and class of cases heard in the District Court, Avitli a view to assisting the Attorney-Gene-ral in liis scheme of proposed judicial reform. AUCKLAND OPINION. A STORM OF PROTEST. WELLINGTON FAVORED TOO MUCH. .

AUCKLAND, last night. Tho proposal of tho Attorney-Gene-ral to submit a Bill de'aling Avitli the judicial system of tlio country Avas referred to several prominent members of tlie Auckland Bar to-day, in order to ascertain their views.

Mr. Tlios. Cotter described the proposal as “simply atrocious.” It Avas carrying centralisation to tho most extreme limit and reducing all the Supreme Courts of tho colony other than that of YVellington to mere appendages to the Supreme Court in Wellington, and increasing tho probable injurious effects of delays in general cases heard to such an extent as to seriously impair tlie efficiency of our judicial system. Mr. Earl (president of the Lrav Society) supported Mr. Cotter. “Tlie proposal,” lie said, “will be most bitterly opposed by the Auckland LaAV Society. I am quite satisfied that there will be a material increase in the cost of litigation. The effect would bo generally harmful to everyone except to- the members of tlie legal profession at YVellington. The Loav Society in Auckland lias already objected to lengthy absences of the Judge from this district, particularly when lie is compelled to take the Gisborne sittings. I can hardly suppose it is seriously intended that one Judge shall take the Avliole circuit of the North Island, and that an important centre like Auckland shall be left Avithout a resident Judge. Tbe practical effect of that Avould be that nearly all the Supreme Court bnsines Avould have to pass through Y\ relliugton, much to the profit of members of tho legal profession there, but j’ji the loss of Auckland practitioners and clients.

Mr. A. Hanna considers the proposal a retrogade step. There should be a Judge constantly sitting here, and he says a new subdivision of the colony should be made, to include places like Napier, Ncav Plymouth, Gisborne, and Palmerston North. The Appeal Court should be presided over by three Judges sitting constantly. Dr. Dan Bamford also spoke strongly against the jiroposal. It Avould increase the cost of IaAV business, and also greatly delay it. He favored the creation of three districts for the North Island with resident Judges.