SALARIES CUT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1932, Page 6

SALARIES CUT

MUTISM JUDGES PERTURBED. NOT “SERVANTS OF CROWN.” Judges of the High Court are seriously concerned over the reductions in their salaries made in the Economy Act of the late Government, and Mr justice McCardie has publicly referred to “recent events which have affected the independence, prestige and security of the Bench.” Though Sir Henry McCardie was very guarded in his language, it is believed that in legal circles that his remarks have reference to the salary question. It is not for monetary reasons alone that judges are annoyed, but rather for constitutional reasons. The judges contended that they are not “servants of the Crown” in the meaning of the Economy Act. for a person in the service, of the Crown can be dismssed by. the Crown. No one. however, can dismiss a judge as lie holds office under the Judicature Acts and the Act of Settlement, and can be removed only by a majority vote of both Houses of Parliament and with the approval of the King.

The judges are also said to he annoyed that the Government taxed their salaries by a fil'tli without consulting them. The salaries ol High Court judges were fixed at CoDOO a, year in ISM 7, and remained unchanged until the recent cut, which reduced them to tMOOU. It is pointed out that, after their taxes are paid, judges are now receiving only LMOOO, which will not attract the best type of man to file. Beach.