MR. JUSTICE REED.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1921, Page 4

MR. JUSTICE REED.

WELCOMED AT NEW PLYMOUTH

RELATIONS OF BENCH AND COUNSEL.

Previous to the commencement of. business at the opening day of the quarterly sessions of the Supreme Cour4 at New Plymouth yesterday, a was extended to Mr. Justice Reed, a re-* cent appointee to the Supreme Oourtt bench, who presided at New Plymouth! for the first occasion.

On behalf of the Taranaki bar, Mr. J< C. Nicholson, President of the Law Soi ciety, conveyed to His Honor good wish* es and congratulations on his appoint* ment. They had in mind His Honor’s very wide experience as a member of tha bar in the Auckland district, and, being thus so familiar with the obstacles and difficulties which beset the path oi counsel on all occasions, they ventured to hope that indulgence and assistance which was so helpful and encouraging td counsel, and especially to the younget members of the bar, might be extended on all occasions that arose. The Mr. Nicholson said, were acquainted with His Honor’s high reputation as an abfcf/ and sound lawyer, and on that account" looked forward w?th satisfaction and confidence to his rulings and judgments. For their part they would endeavor at all times to discharge their duties to His Honor’s approval. They hoped that the duties and responsibilities of his office, heavy as they undoubtedly were, might nevertheless prove in some measure less onerous than the busy practice which His Honor recently conduct-* ed. They hoped his career as jludga would be a long, useful and distinguished one.

His Honor, in reply, thanked the bar for their kindly welcome. He said it was not the first Court he had to take, as he had started at Gisborne some weeks ago, and latterly had been sitting regularly in the Supreme Court at Welling, ton while other Judges had been occupied in the Court of Appeal. He had found that the work was not any easier than it was at the bar—in fact work had kept .him going practically night and day ever since he had taken up the duties. He had hopes, however, that when work, which had fallen into arrears through various circumstances, k had been overtaken, that the pressure of duties would ease off. He had thought, in accepting the work, that it would be a great deal simpler, but so far Innl not proved so. Tn regard to the .remarks as to as-. watance for junior members of the bar,, His Honor said he always had;

thopgQit that a great responsibility rest-* ed with the Judge in making or marring , the career of counsel. He believed every endeavor should be made as to helping junior counsel as far aa possible, so as to give them that confidence at the commencement which would enable them' to advance in their career. With regard to the older members of the bar, he knew that very often counsel was inclined to think that a Judge was unfair in connection with some decision, or a matter that he had dealt with. His limited experience on the bench, however, indicated) that the point of view of a Judge was very different from that of counsel. He be* liqyed every Judge endeavored as far as possible to be absolutely impartial. He did not think the charge of partiality could ever be placed with any degree of justice against any Judge who had sat in New Zealand. Very often counsel, with partisan keenness, engendered by watchfulness for the interests of his side, might look upon some decision as unjust, and might by his actions show

the Judge he resented what had been

done. Such incidents were not in the interests of harmony between bench and bar. and should be avoided. His Honor said, if he disagreed with counsel he would endeavor to tell them so as courteously as possible, and he had not the slightest doubt but that he would receive the same courtesy from members.