DEPARTMENTAL TRIBUNALS. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") Sin,—It is
much to be feared that in the now notorious Archer-Shee ease the public, in their feelings of sympathy
with the unfortunate victim, have to a large extent lost sight of the very valuable object-lesson which this case affords. I refer to the vivid light it throws on the kind of justice we may expect to receive under the bureaucratic system of Depart- mental tribunals. The present Government appears to be peculiarly attracted by the system of Departmental tribunals as opposed to the ordinary Courts of Law. This is shown by the fact that in nearly every important Bill introduced in the House of Commons by the Government there have been clauses to the effect that matters of dispute arising under the Bill shall not be referred to the ordinary Law Courts, but to a special tribunal set up for the purpose. The Educa- tion and Licensing Bills are striking examples of this dangerous departure. You, Sir, have more than once raised your voice on this subject, and will, I trust, continue to do so until the community appreciates the gravity of the situation. We, as a nation, are justly proud of the probity of our Judges and the honesty of our Courts, and I trust the day may be far distant when an Englishman has to appeal to a tribunal in which his opponents and the Judges are co-partners.--I
am, Sir, &c., HUGE L. P. Lowe. Blagdon House, Stoke Bishop.
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