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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 1, No. 3. March 23, 1938

Chicken and Chicanerie — In re the Law Dinner

Chicken and Chicanerie

In re the Law Dinner

One of the motions passed last year at a University Debate was that "the legal profession deserves the disrespect of the community," and the most powerful objection levelled against the lawyers was that they tend to become preoccupied with the law and oblivious of progress, dwelling alone, hermit-like, in an arid legal environment. "Salient" was therefore glad to note that at the Law Faculty Club's Annual Law Dinner, held recently at the Empire Hotel, each of the student speakers referred to some aspect of changing society and emphasised the importance of the legal traternity's keeping up with these changes.

Proceedings opened with the usual difficulty—what was the correct way in which to consume Oyster Cocktails? Sub rosa whispers and hurried glances towards Sir Michael Myers and the other members of the Official Party elicited the fact that one should drink them. Accordingly they were drunk, and five further courses were satisfactorily disposed of. "Salient" enjoyed especially the "Fried young chicken a la Maryland."

Mr. Perry, assisted by Professor Laski, Cardozo J., Holmes J., and numerous "Hear, hears" from Mr. H. H. Cornish K.C., made an eloquent appeal for the Independence of the Bench, in moving the Toast to the Judiciary. The judicial systems of certian modern states were corrupt and politically prejudiced: once independence disappeared justice became a more mockery. Sir Michael Myers in reply re-emphasised this point and also stressed the need for mutual respect between bench and bar. He also appealed to law students to reject the Latin pronunciation they were taught at University: when asking for certiorari and not "kurteeorahri." Professor Adamson was observed to become a little uncomfortable at this juncture.

Amid tumultuous applause Professor Adamson arose to reply to Mr. N. A. Morrison's toast to the Staff, and delivered a homily on examinations, case-law and Mr. Morrison's speech. We do not think he fully appreciated appeals with regard to examinations have fallen on barren ground—or, shall we say, on Scotch Thistles."

"Salient" then noticed Professor Williams' shirt front, and, hypnotised by its weird, rugged grandeur, was not able fully to appreciate Mr. Cornish's able speech and Dick Simpson's effervescing reply.

The Law Faculty Club is to be congratulated on providing good fare both for dinner and after dinner.