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desirable. The Captain Superintendent of Police can
consult the Law Officers at any time. If he wishes for the
Crown Solicitor's assistance in Court he has to apply to
obtain it. In almost all cases such applications are grant-
-ad. In some cases which present no legal difficulties per-
-mission for the Crown Solicitor to prosecute is refusad.
The advantage of the system is that the Officers of Police
concerned are taught to be self-reliant; that they gain
valuable knowledge and experience by doing work them-
-selves instead of relying on all prosecutions being done
for them; and that economy in the administration is
effected.
At the present time I cannot
recommend the adoption of the Chief Justice's proposal on
the grounds of the extra expense involved, even if I were
convinced of its expediency.
3.
With regard to Sir F. Piggott's
remarks in favour of the appointment of an Assistant
Attorney-General, I cannot on the same grounds of economy,
if for no other, recommend it for consideration. I do not
agree that it is contrary to official and professional
etiquette that the Crown Solicitor should advise the
Government. It is necessary that he should do so in many
--
matters
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