The Gazette 1915-16

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

jANUAnarj 1016]

49

matter, the Solicitors themselves were almost entirely, if not absolutely at fault, and lie trusted that in future they would act more in accordance with Trades Union principles, and get an honest day's pay for an honest day's work. He always felt keenly upon this topic, and he raised his voice in solemn protest against what he called an absolute and downright fraud upon their profession. Mr. CHARLES G. GAMBLE said Mr. John Golfer,Solicitor, of New Ross, had intended to travel to the meeting to express his views in favour of the application to Ireland of the Criminal Evidence Act, the subject with which Mr. Brady had dealt, and as Mr. Golfer was absent he read to the meeting a letter he had received from Mr. Golfer advocating his views in support of the application of the Act to Ireland. THE PRESIDENT : Of course the question of the adoption of the Report on the Criminal Evidence Act will come on again to-day, and we will be glad to hear the views of the mem bers. The adoption of the Annual Report of the Council does not bind anyone with regard to that matter. There is another matter which I wish to mention, that since the Annual Report went out the number of Solicitors actively engaged in the War has risen from 70 to 80, and there are 59 Apprentices also serving with His Majesty's forces. The motion for the adoption of the Report was then put to the meeting and was carried unanimously. Mr. THOMAS M. GERRARD said the War appealed very strongly to him because he had lost some of his relatives in the struggle ; and he hoped the meeting would pass a vote of condolence with those members of the pro fession who had been bereaved by the conflict. He was sure that the Council passed a vote of condolence in each instance following the im mediate occurrence, but he proposed that that meeting would also adopt a vote of condolence with the members of the profession who had had relations killed in the War. Mr. JAMES HENRY seconded the resolution, and stated that the Council had passed similar resolutions, but that it was suitable for such a resolution to be passed by the General Meeting. The resolution was passed in silence, the members rising to their feet.

Mr. JOHN READ said that since the Report was issued one of his sons had joined the colours. THE PRESIDENT : I congratulate you in so contributing to the forces of the Empire. Mr. JAMES BRADY : Do I understand that my motion stands over for consideration from the May meeting ? THE PRESIDENT : Yes. Mr. JAMES BRADY said he now wished to move his motion notwithstanding the action of the Council as a body he could not help not giving way on this matter. North and south were combined with him on this occasion, and he was glad at any time and every time to have the north and south combined, and if for no other reason but because that combin ation was achieved by him upon this occasion he would ask the meeting to kindly do him the favour of adopting his resolution. Mr. LANE JOYNT seconded, and said that the very best witness was usually the person in the dock. Very often cases were made out where an evil disposed person selected a time to make a charge when no one was present but the complainant and the defendant. The complainant went into the witness box, and he was practically unanswered. Mr. CHARLES ST. G. ORPEN said so far as he was concerned he had come there not having sufficiently considered the matter, owing to the special circumstances attending the meeting, and he was sure many others were in the same position. Therefore he thought .they were not in a position to honestly vote for the application of this measure to Ireland, and consequently he would suggest to. Mr. Brady that the consideration of the motion should be adjourned until some future occasion, or refer it back to the Council. Mr. JAMES BRADY said he would accede to that course with pleasure. He thought it was best, because of their troubles the matter had passed out of their minds. He would agree to let the matter go back to the Council with the members of which he did not wish to be at variance, and whom he assisted by his vote in putting into that position. Mr. RICHARD A. MACNAMARA said that at the present tune there would be no use in referring the matter back to the Council, it