Justices.

Manawatu Herald, 13 April 1899, Page 2

Justices.

That the present Liberal Government have made more peculiar appointments than any other Government has done to the ranks of the Great Unpaid, is beyond dispute, and therefore it is refreshing to find that a movement of any sort by which more care will be exercised in the selection of Justices of the Peace, is on foot. It conies, also as a surprise, from the Progressive Liberal Association, who have set up a committee to consider the present method of appointing Justices of the Peace and to suggest improvements. From the report we find that in the opinion of the Association the men selected for these appointments should be of good moral repute ; (2) that Justices should be of sufficient education to enable them to administer the law with intelligence ; (3) that such appointments should be free from any suspicion of political reward. This is all very nice and proper, but it is a most unkind cut at the manner appointments have been made under the Liberal Government, as it is clear that many who have been appointed Justices have not had, in the opinion of the Liberal Association, the qualifications for office thus set out. The report also makes three recommendations as follows :— (1) " That, in view of the fact that we have an extended municipal franchise, and that it is proposed to extend the local government franchise generally, all nominations of Justices of the Peace should be made by a County, Borough, or Town Council, or Road Board." (2) " That Justices of the Peace should serve a probation ot twelve months before being allowed to adjudicate." (3) "That, with a view to enabling Justices to acquire readily a knowledge of the duties of the position, and of the law they are empowered to administer, a book dealing with these matters shonld be prepared, a copy of which should be supplied to every Justice of the Peace." The idea of providing the Justices with a book is a good idea, but there appears the much needed addition that the book when supplied should be read and referred to.