JUDGE AND PRESS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 89, 5 December 1931, Page 5

JUDGE AND PRESS

(Press. Assn. —

SIR M. MYERS SAYS FORMER STATEMENT IGNORED BY NEWSPAPERS

•By Telegraph — Copyright).

WELLINGTON, Friday.

The attitude of certain newspapers in failing to publish his statement issued recently on the subject of the non-publication of the names of counsel in reports of court proceed-

ings was commented on by the Lhief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, at the hearing of the Coat's appeal in the Court of Appeal to-day. His Honour's comment was in reply to second counsel for Coats who suggested that the Court might perhaps think it desirable to make some observation on the question of taking statements from accused and other people which might he of use in other quarters. "What is the use of making a statement unless the Court is assisted by the Press," asked the Chief Justice. His Honour said he might have been correct or not, but nevertheless, he had had a statement made in Court upon a matter which he thought rightly or wrongly, was of public interest. It was published in tWo daily newspapers in Wellington and no doubt was telegraphed right throughout the country, but other newspapers chose to ignore it. "Now, what is the use of Judges making observations on matters of public interest if their statements, made in the belief that they are in the public interest, are ignored by the Press," added the Chief Justice. "What is the- use," he continued, "of a Judge making any statement in regard to the circumstances of the Court of Criminal Appeal. I do not suppose any notice would be taken of it."