THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1909. GOVERNMENT AND THE JUDGES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9664, 1 December 1909, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1909. GOVERNMENT AND THE JUDGES.

The "Christchurch Press" in an editorial article, discusses the question of appointing Supreme Court judges to do work outside of tneir judicial functions. It is certainly a very de • bateable point whether the practice should be continued. The "Press" says'—"We yield to no une in admiration of the Chief Justice's industry and ability, and in respect for his probity and integrity. Yet we feel bound to agree with the view expressed by several members of the House on Friday that the Government did wrong in appointing Sir Robert Stout on the Native Land Commission, and in giving him extra remuneration for his work. We objected to the appointment in the first instance because in our judgment it was tor the Government to lay down a policy in regard to native lands, and for the Native Department and tne Department ot Lands to supply any information which the Government might require before framing ,their proposals. The present Ministry has throughout shown the utmost eagerness when faced with difficult questions, to shirk its plain Constitutional duty by seeking te place the responsibility upon a Royal Commission of saying what ought to be done. We also agree that it is wrong in principle for the Government to offer to any of the Judges work and pay in addition to the ordinary work j and emoluments of their office. It j was stated during ttie debate that altogether Sir Robert Stout received £4OOO from the State last year, although it was admitted that he bad served the country well. Sir Joseph Ward denied that because a .Judge was paid for his services he was thereby brought under the power of the Government. Nobody has sugges*

ted such a thing in connection with Sir Robert Stout, whobe well-known independence has made it possible, indeed, to discuss this'question Jy, without any fear of the criticisms

beiig ti.ken to have any perns,! pp-

plication. Sir Joseph Ward said that in England Judges had been appoint' ed to positions of preferment. It is perfectly true that Judges occasionally receive judicial promotion, but we doubt if Sir Joseph Ward can point to any precedent of an English Judge haviig been appointed hy the Government to do work outside his judicia functims, and receiving extra pay for such work, although at tie same time relieved from a good deal of his ordinary judicial work. The principle is wrong, and the practice ought not to be repeated."