SIR,—tinderlying the arguments used in regard to this subject seems
to be the belief that devoted and intelligent work can never be expected from those who are not receiving pay. Even your correspondent, "A Clerk," in your January 20th issue seems to be biassed in this direction when he says " that the job of doing justice between man and man should be a whole-time job for trained men." Is not this the negation of the whole history of British progress, and does it not oppose the argu- ments so often advanced in favour of the existence of a " leisured class " ?
Some of us believe that the more men we can get to serve the State without thought of remuneration, the sounder the position will be because they work for love and not for reward, and we oppose with vehemence the theory that a man cannot be just without being a lawyer. It always appears in our view that it is an approach to contempt of Court when it is said that our Judges are well, or even overpaid, to enable them to be disinterested, which can only mean to prevent them from receiving bribes. Some think, as I do, that much greater use might be made of the admitted desire for occupation of that vast body of men of experience who have retired from active employment, in the " Services," or in trade. These now, for lack of some more useful occupation, spend their unwonted leisure on golf links or in club armchairs. It might even be worth while to study the system of the voluntary Courts established in almost every village in Central Italy. _ These are formed by the election of three among the retired men in these places, who form what is in fact a Court of Arbitration. When a dispute arises between two peasants or shopkeepers they can bring their differences before this voluntary tribunal and have it settled for the sum of 5 centessimi. A great Roman lawyer told me that this method prevented 75 per cent. of the eases going before the official Courts.
No, it is not voluntary service which should be discouraged in legal matters, but rather it shoUld be extended to embrace possible Civil actions and all controversy which retards the harmonious progress of society.—I am, Sir, &c.,
FRANCIS FLETCHER VANE.
Little Hickmans, Fordconibe, nr. Tunbridge Wells.
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