THE GRAND JURY SYSTEM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2666, 23 November 1909, Page 7

THE GRAND JURY SYSTEM.

For a long time the Grand Jury system, although recognised to be an obsolete and useless institution, has been tolerated because of its venerable antiquity and because public opinion has never-been ; sufficiently over - its vagaries to rise up arid- demand that it be swept away, but unless we misjudge the position very badly the nine gentlemen who refused to allow AV. A. Humphreys to stand his trial for manslaughter have helped very materially to hasten the end of Grand Juries in New Zealand. The rejection of the bill of indictment can have only one effect and that'is to weaken public confidence iA the administration of justice and to create the impression that there are more ways of being acquitted of a serious crime than there ought to be. Time after time the Judges have imjpressed upon Grand Juries tliat it, is not their function to try the case. Time after time the charges to Grand Junefe have matle it abundantly clear that their duties .an.R; functions are almost entirely • ornamental, and that they 'have nothing to do with the guilt or innocence of tEe accused. No reasonable person reading the reports of the Police Court hearing would dissent from the magistrate’s view that there was a- case to answer, and that in the interests or justice the accused should have faced a common jury, and got his acquittal, if innocent, at their hands. It will be perfectly excusable if nine-tenths or tne public draw the-inference that sentimental considerations • weighed more with the Grand Jury than any desire to see justice done. The public mind lias not unnaturally been very considerably exercised, over'this case. -As matters now stand -the duty or tne Crown Prosecutor, is so clear, that it would be presumption on our.part to emphasise it. In the meantime it would be fitting-if one or-other of the local members of Parliament were to ofhcially bring the circumstances of the (present case under the notice of the Government, and to urge an amendment of the law abolishing Grand Junes. Christchurch “News,”