DISMISAL OF RESIDENT MAGISTRATES NOT LAWYERS.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 930, 8 June 1878, Page 2

DISMISAL OF RESIDENT MAGISTRATES NOT LAWYERS.

The ' Herald ' of yesterday thus comments on the following 1 telegram which it has received from "Wellington : — "An arrangement has been made by the Government by Avhich all thoso persons m the colony holding offices as Resident Magistrates who are not lawyers must relinquish their appointments, tho Government being about to appoint one man m each provincial district to act as a District Judge and Rosldent Magistrate, this pei'son being m every case a lawyer. A rota of J.P.s will be made up, and those J.l\'s who do not attend to their duties, as laid down on • rota, will be struck oft" the roll." We cannot believe that this can be authentic, for it is difficult to imagine that the Government would, without first consulting Parliament, adopt suoh a swe aping measure. There are many Resident Magistrates who are not passed lawyers, but whose long experience and acquaintance with the run of the law, and their notions of equity are (albeit occasionally they may fall into an error), far more valuable on the Bench than those of not a few passed lawyer*, who might aspire vainly to fill their shoes. If the story is true, we hope Ministers will reconsider their decision. We can understand the passing of a rule under which all Resident Magistrates to be appointed m future must be legally qualified, bat to dismiss thus summarily many valuable men who have done and still do good service, would be at once a mistake and an injustice.