SERVICE ON JURIES

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1929, Page 6

SERVICE ON JURIES

COMMERCIAL (TRAVELLERS SEEK

EXEAITTTON

WELLINGTON, February 21

A deputation from the United Commercial Travellers’ and Warehousemen’s Association of New Zealand waited recently upon the Minister for Justice (the Hon. Mr A\ ilford) to ask for the exemption .of bona fide commercial travellers from service on juries. The Association, through its general secretary, .Mr IV. I l ’. Herrick, pointed out that great inconvenience and consequent loss were caused by commercial travellers being recalled from various parts of New Zealand in the middle of business transactions to serve on juries.

The Minister asked the Association wlmt was its'definition of a “ bona fide commercial traveller,” and Mr Herrick replied that a “ bona fide commercial traveller is a traveller engaged in doing solely wholesale business, that is (a) selling to the trade for some person, firm, or company; or (b) buying for some person, firm, or company carrying on a wholesale business, and who lias been so engaged for a period of at least six consecutive calendar months, which period shall have been spent in the Commomrealtli of Australia or in Non Zealand."

A copy of the certificate issued fov the Association was handl'd to the Minister, who stated, after perusing tko same, that he would consider the question, first of all. whether the definition put iforward by the Association was sufficiently comprehensive. On the main question, lie added, he was prepared to suggest when the Juries Act came up for review that the exemption suggested should he made, but tbo Association would have to understand that the amendments proposed in that Act. must be considered and approved by Cabinet before any definite assurance could he given them. In the meantime, however, ho, as Minister For Justice, favourably considered the application.