CO129-368 - Acting Governor May - 1910 [8-9] — Page 425

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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

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matters

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