China's Poor Ring Bell to Call Justice

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 95, 8 May 1937, Page 16

China's Poor Ring Bell to Call Justice

% SHANGHAI — In ancient years, persons wisbing to file complaint witb tbe iocal Cbinese magistrates need only strike npon a gong wbieb bung at tbe entrance to tbe official bench. A clerk came -to inquire into tbe case and tbe magistrate wonld tben order a hearing, witb a minimum of "red tape" and of course witb no expense to tbe person seeking justice. , Modern Obina bas patterned after Western legal procedure in most matters but in tbe Nantao district of Sbangbai, wbere many poor people dwell, tbere bas been a reversion to ancient practice as a means of bringing tbe courts nearer to tbe people. An electric bell bas been installed in tbe Hantao District Court wbere a .poor Cbinese without tbe money to seek professional legal counsel for tbe protection of bis private rigbts or tbe satisfaction of legitimate • grievances may summon a court official, usually a procurator, to bear his case and record a complaint. ; " If tbe? cbargcs preferred byvtbe complaint are found to be substantiated. tbe offender is brougbt to trial. But if tbe complaint is found guilty of bringing false cbarges against an innocent person, action is instead taken against bim. Nantao residents bave already sbown appreciation of tbis modern effort to conserve a good point of old- time practice and it is believed tbat otber Cbinese courts may adopt some similar plaa.