THE GREAT UNPAID.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 9, 10 September 1901, Page 5

THE GREAT UNPAID.

The subject' of the “ Great Unpaid,” the Justices of the Peace of the Colony was discussed by the House the other night, ..and several members, especially country members, complained of delays fresjuently expex-ieneed in filling vacancies Justices of the Peace, said the Minister of Justice in reply, were a bwdy of men who did a great deal of public sei-viee, and very often got little thanks for it, but it had been his aim that only men qualified for the position should be appointed. He was he declared, not going to take the responsibility of appointing men. to the bench without-making enquiries. There were, he went on to remark, two t classes of men—those who were not I anxious to become Justices (and they y were generally the best fitted for the position), and those who were anxious for the position and not fitted fox- it. The latter class went to members of Parliament to get themselves placed on the Commission of the Peace. Mr G Fisher : From whom did you enquire ? Mx* G. W. Russell : A policeman. The Minister fox* Justice somewhat heatedly retorted that he made enquiries from the proper soui’ces, and if he made enquiries from the wrong soui-ce the responsibility i-ested with him. The Minister failed to add, however, that though the responsibility rested with him, the burden of unqualified J ustices falls on the public.