JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1928, Page 1

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE

1 PH ESI DENT’S ADDE ESS. AL'CIvLAND, .March 21. Speaking at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Justices’ Associations, Mr H. Herbert Smith, the retiring president, said:— “ Jn various parts of the Dominion, tne valuable time of Magistrates is taken up in dealing with minor offences which could very well lie dealt with by Justices, thereby effecting a considerable financial saving to the country. Justices are frequently asking that more use should be made of their services, and as there are many men who are prepared to give the time, and possess the necessary qualifications to enable them to carry out their judicial duties, it seems lo me a matter of regret that their services are not more readily availed of. In many eases, and minor offences especially, much of the valuable time of a .Magistrate could be saved by enlisting the services of .Justices. If this matter is given due consideration, the position might be improved, by avoiding the appointment of new Magistrates when the work can be carried oil with the assistance ol Justices. Furthermore, it would give Justices good ami useful training and enable them to attain a higher state of efficiency which is so necessary for the carrying out of the judicial duties lor which they are appointed. " We have in the past received, and are still receiving, most willing and valuable assistance from our .Magistrates, which is greatly appreciated, and I trust that this spirit of fra tern- : tiv will continue, and that wo shall receive their hearty' support and eo- 1 operation in our endeavours to fulfil as I far as possible the duties and re- ' sponsibiiities of our office.” < METHOD OK APPOINTMENT. The retiring president (.Mr H. Her- ' bert Smith/, in moving the adoption of 1 llie annua! report of the Federation of 1 New Zealand Justices’ Associations, re- 1 I’crred to the method of appointing A Justices of the Peace. Do ctiid : ' “The question of the appointment of ( Justices on the recommendation of a v .Member of Parliament is one that re- s ■piires very careful consideration, and e we should use our host endeavours, in 1 i right and proper manner, to bring a icfot'e tiic authorities the difficulties si

ami disadvantages which associations d are confronted with by the system now in force. One of the objects of our ti const iuit ion. and I may sav one of the h most import ant. ones, is to raise the tl status of Justices. The question now arises—What are the best methods to pi lie adopted to bring about the desired to result!- This, i think, can best lie an- bt swered by the various associations after ti careful consideration, and brought be- -J. fore the conference. There is one point, however, that should not be lost sight (A of and that- is, that Justices should M not lie dependent on any undue polit.i- w< cal or other influence in obtaining an w< appointment to the Commission o T i lie wt