THE DISMISSAL OF DISTRICT JUDGES.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 29 October 1880, Page 2

THE DISMISSAL OF DISTRICT JUDGES.

The Dunedin Echo publishes some remarks on the action taken by the Goverumenl wiHi regard to the District Judges, which will commend themselves to common sen-e. Our contemporary says : — " The Ministry wish to reduce the cumber of District Juries. We do not quarrel wMi their decision. iS T n doubt if tbe pro* cedure of Supreme Court, were, as it could be, much simplified, the District Court work would be le-seued. Ereu without sack a simplification there »?as perhaps do need o( fi?e District Judges for the Mildie Island and five Tor (he* Norfh Island.* It has to be remembered however, that two In the Midcl c, and a!I in Ihe nor! li, also performed Magisterial work, Let it be assumed, however, that the stuff hid to be reduce J. Two p,ria* ; cipies should have guided the ?ili.'iisti'y in doin^ ill's. Firs', those who had been the shortest litna in the service should have been first asked to retire ; seniority should have counted for something. Second, if possible, the Judges should Dot have beeu allied to vetiie from every posilio.i in the service. , The roason for b 'ing guided by these principles can easily be seen. The longer a man* bus been out of practice and bus lield tbe position of District Judge, t tie less fitted be is to riguin begin the practice of his profession ; Mnd secondly, when i.!>e Ja l^e.s were ap- . pointed, it was understood it whs v life appointment — only defensible on misconduct or in efficiency being prored. If a lawyer giva up his practice and aeeepis a .Tudgeship, at a small s-j'ijy too, it is unfair after but a few years to a?!c b:ui 10 practically begin life ajiin. His I'usiness has uone to other hands, and he has a second !irne to be^in his professional cureei*. Only the very direct necessities of the public service could ever make dismissals of District Judges proi er. Li* deed such dismissals slrike at the indept?ndence of tlie Bench. If District Judyes aud Ala^isirafe-! arc henceforth t > believe that their existeuee as members of the Civil Service depends on the fiat of a Mini-ier of Justice, rre they not liable to be bi tssed in their judgment? whrncver. any question as bciween lb^ Minisiry on the one hand an! a colonist o-i the other crops up? What benefit do we gain by having a bench su'j-'ct to arbitrary removal at ILa l)iddiug of a Minister over one eleclei for a terra of years by a popular voie ? We do not see any, and yet elective Judges have not been an unmixed good— if a good at all."