A PARTIAL JUDGE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 236, 10 February 1911, Page 5

A PARTIAL JUDGE

SOME SCATHING COMMENT

By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, February 8.

Mr, Justice Grantham created a sensation at Liverpool assizes by repudiating what lie described us a- charge of political partisanship arising out of his decision in the Yarmouth election case in MOB. Scarcely a week since had passed, he said, without his receiving threatening and insulting letters. lie denied all partisanship, and was astonished at the accusation.

Later in the day Mr. Justice' Grantham, in sentencing a Canadian criminal, said that prisoner was the sort of reciprocity Canada has for England. "She sends criminals here to be punished, and in other matters she seeks reciprocity with the United States." The Manchester Guardian denounces the offensive reference to political partisanship, which colors the whole conception of Mr. Justice Grantham's judicial conduct.

The Daily News condemns the Judge's incapacity for taking a' judicial view. The Daily Chronicle says Mr. Justice Grantham is unable to realise that a Judge requires self-repression. The Morning Leader says the natural and unconscious bias of Mr. Justice Grantham is a positive peril to anyone tried for liberty or life.

The Westminster Gazette thinks that the outburst is a "swan song," and is preliminary to the Judge's retirement. In the House of Commons Mr. Asquith, in grave tones, commented on Judge Grantham's remarks at Liverpool, and added that the House of Commons was scrupulous in censuring or even commenting on the Julges, but the reciprocal obligation was expected.