MEETING COMMON DANGER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1940, Page 4

MEETING COMMON DANGER

NO TIME FOR DISSENSION. 'CHIEF JUSTICE’S CHARGE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. February 7. “The present is no time for dissension, for altercation, for recrimination, and the undue ventilation of grievances,” said the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), during his charge to the Grand Jury at the opening yesterday of the Supreme Court session. He added: “The time calls for unanimity, for the closing of the ranks of all sections of the community to meet a common danger that menaces the individual and collective freedom and liberties of all peoples of the world; personal freedom of action, freedom of speech, of conscience, of thought—a danger that menaces the very foundations of civilisation.” His Honour said the times called for good citizenship, for obedience to the law, the highest standards of efficiency and conduct, for every assistance which every citizen was able to return according to his means and ability, by way of contributing to the common cause and common effort.

“Every offence committed against the law tends to reduce our efficiency as a whole,” his Honour continued. “Every criminal is a liability to the State, instead of an asset. He adds to the expense of our criminal administration, when he ought to be doing his part, in one way or another, in the service of the best interests of the State, instead of which he becomes a useless burden and expense. "There are various ways in which every person can do his part. It is axiomatic that waste should be avoided, whether in money or efficiency. “In England the question of saving money is regarded as of great importance nowadays. The public has been told of the necessity for personal thrift, and rich and poor alike have taken heed and are exercising thrift, making their savings available for the due and proper prosecution of the war efforts. The same necessity exists in New Zealand.”