SECOND EDITION Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1878.] SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1894. JUDGE KETTLE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4767, 7 July 1894, Page 2

SECOND EDITION Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1878.] SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1894. JUDGE KETTLE.

The following is the prayer of Mr District Judge KcCle's petition to Parliament re icnurc of office of District Court Judges:-" Your petitioner therefore prays that your honourable Hotise will cause the law to ho amended in the direction of ['■) raising the tenure of ollicc of District Judges from ono during the pleasure of the Governor to n tenure during ability m \ good behaviour. (4) Causing the, salaries of all District Judges tone of the like amount, (c) Placing the salaries of all District Judges on the Civil List, (if) Making it impossible to reduce any such judges' salary during the tenure of ollicc of the judge receiving the same. Judge Kettle is o high minded, conscientious member of the legal profession, and is generally respected. We have not been altogether mire of tho eipiity of some of his decisions in tho Bankruptcy Court, hut no one will doubt tho sincerity of his actions on tho Bench. But is bo wise in petitioning; Parliament ? Wo think not, for bo should remember that a bigger Jiulgo than himself crossed a hmco with the Government and went down, and though this may not, and we trust will'not, be bis fate, yet be takes risks when be appeals from the Government to House, At present tlio Government and the House speak pretty rough with one voice. Tho great L/&!ral party is supreme, and 'if 'Ave ask whether it is anxious to mnko District Judges of political control, wo sWWjo disposed to believe Liberal party wop'ldliretrMokeep tlnjm under it's .Miinnb, and if they did' not please it to give their offices to proteges of its-'own, If Judge Kettle .expc-t'fs the great Liberal party/to bo guided by considerations of high principle Jig will, wo fear, bo grievously disappointed. There can bo no doubt that the thorough independence of all persons holding a judicial position Is in the best interests of tho State, and is a safeguard to the community which should bo jealously guarded. There can be no doubt that the House ought to affirm the position tvhieh Judge Kettle advances, but we fear that therocan also be but little doubt that sentiments of this description will bei over-ridden foyjwrty cou.wdpmt'ions,'. The G.oyornuierit to keep tbo spoils in its pwn JiAP-d, for tho benefit of its own followers, land it will probably be siipportedby its party in thjs line of .Rqtwn,;/;;^'