The Gazette 1914-15

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

[DECEMBER, 1914

60

the Lord Lieutenant upon the important matter of the appointment of Solicitors to the office of Resident Magistrates. He thought the President, in his very excel lent statement, convinced Lord Aberdeen that the Solicitors in Ireland had a very just grievance in this matter, and he was very hopeful on the question, as he thought the President had also convinced Sir Mathew Nathan, the Under-Secretary, who was also present, and he believed from the figures placed before him and which he examined that Sir Mathew Nathan could come to no other conclusion. It was he who would advise his immediate chief, Mr. Birrell, who would in turn advise the Lord Lieutenant, whom he was very glad to hear speaking as he did, and he was also glad that Sir Mathew Nathan was present at the interview. They were very careful to assure His Excellency that they did not object to members of the Bar being ap pointed, or members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, but people might think that they were too reasonable in that way. They did, however, object to the appointment of gentlemen having no legal qualifications whatsoever, though no legal disabilities attached to the appointments. Every one with experience knew that the most intricate cases which engaged the attention of the King's Bench Division were magistrates' cases, and it was simply nonsense to suggest that a gentleman, however able and con siderable his natural talents might be, was as able to consider and deal with these questions as a trained Solicitor would be. In conclusion, he could not adequately express his feeling of gratitude to the members for the recent mark of confidence which they displayed towards him. He knew he was quite undeserving of the honour they conferred upon him, but they might have thought that he was anxious to preserve the interests of the Profession whether in Dublin or away from it. They were right in that, and on every opportunity that was afforded to him he would gladly avail of it to further the interests of the Profession and prevent injustice being done to it, both at home and across the water. In doing that he was doing nothing more than he was expected to do in the circumstances. In the Irish Party there were many Solicitors, and every one of them

That should be an important matter for the Profession. In present circumstances very few Solicitors were engaged in Parliamentary Bill promotion. It required presence in London, and absence from one's practice, and other considerations which debarred the ordinary practitioner from following Parlia mentary work. He hoped that that would be no longer the case, and that Private Bill legislation would be carried on in their midst. The President had referred to a Committee that sat so far back as 1884 to consider the question of fusion of the two Professions. Speaking for himself, and without consulta tion with any member of the Council, he thought it might be a very desirable thing in view of the passage of Home Rule if a small Sub-committee of the Council and a Sub- Committee of members of the Profession outside the Council would consider in advance the question of necessary legal reforms in that country. He said " in advance " for this reason : it was quite clear if an Irish Parliament embarked, as it was very likely to embark, upon questions of legal reform that that Society would be asked to give an opinion upon such reforms ; and if they were asked to do so it would not be advisable that they should sit down for the first time to consider these questions. It was very desirable then to forearm themselves and consider these questions so as to be able to give their views when asked as to what would be in the best interests of the country and of their Profession. He took it that any result coming from such a Committee after a con sideration of these questions would be very valuable, and in that way they would be able to give fruitful advice if called upon, as perhaps they might be in. the near future. On the question of legal appointments, he said it would be very misrepresentative of the Profession if it went forth that Solicitors as a body were out for those appointments— that they were out to get jobs, as it was termed. At the same time it was equally necessary that it should go forth that Solicitors should get a reasonable proportion of such appointments as were going ; and if ever there was a case in which a just claim could be made by the Profession it was in this matter. It was his privilege, in con junction with the President and some other members of the Council, to be received by