CENSURED.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20277, 20 August 1937, Page 6

CENSURED.

| MINISTER OF CROWN MAGISTRATE SPEAKS OUT. ” DISCIPLINING OF JUSTICES.’* DANGER OF PRECEDENT.

t r IBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) ; WELLINGTON, Friday. * “ I wish to refer to the uns fortunate and regrettable Incident I of a Minister of the Crown publicly denouncing the actions of - certain Justices In language consistent only with a positive right to discipline the Justices, whose Judicial decisions differ from 0 what the Minister thinks they should be—a positive right not only to discipline the Justices r but stipendiary magistrates as * well,” said Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., when In speaking to the Honorary Justices Association ha touched on the recent comments e of the Minister of Transport, the j Hon. R. Semple, on the penalties Imposed On motorists Intoxicated d In oharge of cars.

t i “ The Minister stated very plainly j that he was satisfied with, the way j magistrates were dealing with the

particular class of case to which he was referring, which course leads irresistibly to the inference that they would have to come under his lash if he had not been satisfied. “ If the Minister’s action Is to pass unchallenged and a new precedent is thereby established the first step has been taken to destroy the reign of law and the sine qua non of free, democratic people,” he added. “ The Minister probably never • realised the implications to be' taken 1 from his words yet the principle in- : volved is so fundamental that we should not inquire into his intentions but unequivocally affirm that in spite of threats and warnings we will con- ; tinue' to discharge our duties In acI cordance with the oath we took when we entered upon the duties of our officers.”