THE LAW.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 August 1924, Page 16

THE LAW.

IN RELATION TO DAILY LIFE. ADDRESS BY MR F. C. SPRATT. lhe topic at the> Mauaia Young People's Cmb mis week was taken ay Mr 1\ C. -sprat t, of flaw-era/ who spoke on | ’lne Law in Relation to Rail}’ Lite. ' 'lhe lecturer commenced Liy showing tli& sense of order and respect ior uutnocity that pervades community lile. At half-time at a footoai.l liiatcn the field is crowded with spectators. A whistle blows, and in a unmiie or two the held is clear. People have, learnt to act in an orderly i.ay lur the sake of the common good, l’his sense or order expresses itself in the law, which might b e defined as the body of principles recognised uy the State which defines the rights and outies of individuals in relation to one another and to the State. The lecturer proceeded to show how the law affected all members of the comraunity. Some had the idea that “the law is a lxass,” and failed to recognise the great benefits conferred by it. ihis was tine generally to looking at particular aspects of the law, instead of treating it as a whole. The “bush lawyer,'’ a man who knows a little law, is a danger and a nuisance. Sometimes it was due to a misunderstanding at the scope of the law. The law was not concerned with ideal justice. It was made and administered by human bt ings, and all it sought to* do was to give justice according to law. It was not concerned with particular cases, imt sought the general good of all, and thus it was possible that hardships might be inflicted in individual cases. The good of the community was the highest law, and therefore individuals were prohibited from acting in ways hurtful to others. Actions under some circumstances quite lawful became. under other circumstances, unlawful. I’igsLies were all right on a hum, but were prohibited in a town. On the positive side, the law gave security to hearth and home-. The Englisnian’s house is his castle. No unhidden person might enter,I though under certain circumstances the law itself might., as for instance when a warrant of search had been duly obtained, or when a policeman has reasonable cause to suspect that a crime is being committed. Outside the house the law provided for freedom of movement on public highways. None had any right to use his stronger force to detain a weaker person. Even the State was prevented from doing this except after due trial under the law, and sentence by a judge or magistrate. The law gave security of goods, conserved the rights of property. Even the State could not take money from its subjects except through, taxes levied by Parliament. Security of reputation, too, a priceless possession, was given by the la>v, though perhaps there

"as hardly sufficient protection at present from scandalous utterances. Utiier benefits were freedom of speech ail . d „. t ie right of public meeting. With regard to the administration of the law m the courts, he would say: Never- go to court if it is possible to avoid it. Even if you have a good case it is often better to suffer an injustice rathei than go to law.” As a general rule, even the man who won the case lost. The case was cited of a tobacconist who had his stock flooded through the action of an upstairs tenant, whom he sued lor damages. When asked in court if he had sought redress from the defendant he replied “Yes. And he told me to go to . and I said No. I will go to law,’ and it is just as bad.’ The lecturer continued his advice, saying that lr they did go to lav they always employ a lawyer. Even a lawyer 1 wrien a party to a case should employ a lawyer. There was a. saying in the profession that a lawyer who conducted his awn case had a fool for a client. A party to a case could only see his owii side, but it was very necessary for a lawyer to look at both sides. M hen they took a case to a lawyer they should always trust him. Some litigants went on the principle ‘‘if you can fool your lawyer you can fool the court”; but things did not work out that way. Then, if they were making use of the law the-, should be prompt and vigilant. Tfw law existed for the vigilant, not fot those who. slept. Debts could not be claimed after a lapse of six years; a libel action must'be brought within tvo years, hoi* trivial offences under tho by-laws a six months' limitation was provided, and claims against publh bodies had to be made within three months. There was, however, no such limitation in regard to serious offences Ha advised his hearers never to sign any document without reading it and understanding what they were doing and never to sign anv legal document without legal advice. They would be amazed at the number of people who found themselves in difficulties through neglect of these precautions. The law hvas not concerned with trifles, such as jone man giving another a nasty look, I nor with breaches of etiqueUo. such as ; forgotten appointments. | The lecturer then proceeded to illus- ! Irate, the talk by bolding a magistrate’s court and trying a ease of daim for damages for defamation of oharac- | ter. Members of the club rook the various parts and the experiment provided some interest and a good deal of amusement for the audience. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer for his address. The club continues to grow in numbers, over sixty being present on this [occasion. i