Good Men and True

NZ Truth, Issue 1187, 30 August 1928, Page 6

Good Men and True

.. ■■ *-^ WITH all it's faults— and they . are many— 4he common jury remains the basis, of the subject's liberty m criminal trials and the chief judge of facts' m most civil cases, even to-day. •• ; Of late years during the present vogue ,'of government by 'Order m Cpuiicil m New Zealand there has been a steady infringement of the rights- of litigants m civil cases to a trial by jury. The matter of. a. jury: is left m the hands judge trying the case.. . ' ; ; The Order m Council which brought this about was promulgated during the Lieutenant Governorship of a chief, justice and bears his name m both capacities. '■' This Order m Council practically abolished juries m most classes of divorce cases and m a great "many civil proceedings. :■ , ' • Considering the age-long; struggle that the Commons of England had to go through- to .obtain trial •by jury, it should be treasured as our greatest-! national heritage.: Notwithstanding- the unquestioned integrity .and ability of our judges, we should remember that they are only; human. . They are greatly, overworked and certainly no.t overpaid,, and are naturally inclined to usurp power and authority, particularly when su6h usurpation obviously saves them time and work.. .Usurpation of ' « power . and authority by any /one is definitely, wrong. The remedy for,the,overwork and .loss- of time is' not to chisel pieces ; off . our .citizens ' rights, but to appoint' more judges, . ' /' : ■ , V ■