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Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1920, Page 2

•* WWICTTan H. cygfgggggg — t In discussing the measure to abolish I Grand Juries, the “Lyttelton Times ’ I commented that if Sir Francis Bell said all that could be said in favour of the ! Grand Jury when he said that it was a safeguard against the tyranny of a Government, the ease is a very weak one, for in these days of extended War Regulations and legislation bv Orders-in-Council a tyrannous Government would bo very silly if it allowed such a trifle as a Grand Jury to stand in the way of its tyranny. The Hon J. McGregor’s Bill—which he withdrew seeing that its chances were hopeless—did not propose to entirely abolish the Grand Jury, although we think that might safely bo done. It is an unnecessary reflection upon the lower Court that a jury of laymen should, on the barest outline of evidence, be called upon to say whether a case sent on from the Magistrate’s Court should go to a common jury. 'Hie work of a grand jury is performed in a. very perfunctory manner, necessarily, and it seems to us a link that does not strengthen the j chain. On the other hand, it does ■ facilitate the miscarriage of justice, for J a Grand Jury, sitting in secret, possoss- ! ps the extraordinary power of releasing a prisoner without trial and without the least public indication of the grounds of its decision. One lias not - to be very old to recall instances where 1 the finding of “no bill ’’ by a Grand Jury has shocked, if not surprised, the public conscience. Our Magistrate’s Court should' command sufficient confidence.- and we are sure if does—to satisfy everybody that when an accused person gets as far as the Supreme Court there js a pri))/;t facie cgse for a common jury. It was good to read the definite statements of the' Federal Premier in yesterday’s issue with regard to upholding the law of the land. Mr Hughes when speaking at Bendigo struck the right note if Australia is to hold its own in national life. It cannot afford to have divided authority in the management cf its internal affairs, and if the Governipcnf, (if t'jie day ' is not to rule chaos alone can result. Mr Hughes has taken up an attitude which miglijb reflect itfjejf ail round the Empire, 'flip countries »ip\y freedom for the jaw to oper-» ate, not' license tpr individuals, to plant the law. If we are to hpvp stability in our national ljfo we must have that rpgard for the law and its administration which will ensure it. After all the laws ape made by Parliament, and as the people by fhe most Jiberal franchise make their own Parliaments, the Government’s ru]e is nothing more than the mandate of the people. This is thoroughly democratic, and if this form of liberal government should fail there can be nothing but n tyranny to take its place. It is essential for all to stand up for sanely ordered Government.