Welsh Journals

the human and humane atmosphere now prevail- ing in the Petty Sessional courts for the cast- iron legal procedure here recommended. "Demos" complains of the "secrecy" of the Advisory Committees. But in fact there is no secretiveness about them, though naturally the names of their members do not appear anywhere in print. But anyone who is sufficiently inter- ested, and cares to take a little trouble, can dis- cover the component members of any local advisory body. As the appointment of these advisory bodies is the special care of the Lord Chancellor's office, which is presumably the true fountain of all legal justice, it is hard to see what quarrel "Demos" can find with them. The general instructions issued to these advi- sory committees, which "Demos" contemptu- ously calls ''copybook platitudes," could hardly be bettered, e.g., "the position of a Justice of the Peace should not be regarded as a matter of social prestige, but rather as an opportunity of rendering services to the community." Surely we must all agree with this dictum ? Unfortunately, however, the old evil tradition of reward for past political services dies hard, though I hope and trust that in time it will disappear. As an in- stance of this evil still in force I may mention a personal experience. A few years ago our local borough advisory committee (of which I am chairman) was requested to meet and prepare a list of suitable magistrates. We carried out our task in strict accordance with the excellent rules laid down for us in the instructions sent, and we duly produced our list, which was approved by the Lord Chancellor. But the effect produced was comical or disheartening, according to the per- sonal view taken, for I had a vote of censure passed on me by our local Conservative Club (of which I am a vice-president) whilst at the same SOMETIMES I think that you or I might be Like mirror'd willows, set beside a stream; Reflecting ever nought but you and me Narcissus-like, lost in a daytime dream. Thus Love and Beauty fade; and Friendship hides. Soul's Heaven is darkened, and we know not why- Our Ego's shadow blots out all besides, And Life's fair plan is marred and gone awry. Eyes give us, that can see another's ruth; Hearts give us that can feel for others' pain Wisdom to understand Life's greatest truth- That Self, forgotten, is the soul's best gain. L.B.G. time I was roundly abused in the local "demo- cratic" paper! True, I have known and I have heard of occa- sional "jobs" in the administration of the law at Petty Sessions, and until recently I was fully in favour of having a stipendiary magistrate to act as chairman of all these benches. But-some time ago I had a long conversation with a certain eminent Lord Justice, and his arguments quite convinced me that, despite certain drawbacks at which I have hinted, it is of paramount import- ance to retain the human element on the bench. Surely it is better for an educated community to govern itself and thus become directly acquainted with the law of the land than to have a cut-and- dried legal curriculum? It is the manifest duty of the citizen to uphold the arm of the law, and the intimate knowledge of all local cases and their peculiar circumstances offers invaluable assistance to the meting out of justice. And in every case, the dissatisfied litigant owns the right of appeal to a higher court. What I have said so far applies, of course, only to the petty sessional courts. As to Quarter Sessions, I am wholly in agreement with "Demos." I consider that a capable barrister, preferably a King's Counsel, should preside over every court of Quarter Sessions. To the best of my knowledge, however, the amateur chairman of Quarter Sessions is growing scarce, and he will ere long be replaced everywhere by some legal light. So I do not see that we need dis- quiet ourselves overmuch on this score. No doubt I could say a good deal more on this sub- jest, but lack of space forbids.-I am, sir, yours, etc., HERBERT M. VAUGHAN. Tenby, April 10th, 1932. THE EGOISTS