The Gazette 1921-25

31

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.

DECEMBER, 1922]

of their selection the Council did not confine themselves exclusively to selection from its own members. They did not at present feel themselves at liberty to publish these names, regarding them as confidential communica tions between the Government and them selves. Their Society's valuable Library was included in the destruction of the Four Courts, and they had begun to acquire books for the purpose of the formation of a new Library. Already, he was glad to say, they had a considerable nucleus. Assistance in this respect from members of law books not required by them would be gratefully accepted. They would, no doubt, have observed with satisfaction that, notwithstanding the difficult times through which the Society was passing, they had been enabled to continue the education and examinations of their apprentices. They had been laid under a great debt of gratitude by the courtesy of Sir William De Courcy Wheeler, the President, and the Council of the Royal College of Surgeons, who had placed their very hand some hall at their disposal for examinations and one of their smaller halls for lectures. He desired to acknowledge the courtesy and kindness in this matter of the Registrar of the Royal College of Surgeons. He was convinced that the Solicitors' profession was destined to play a very important part in the work of their new Constitution. They were an influential and widespread body. They could do much to promote fellowship and good-will amongst Irishmen of all creeds, religious and political. He believed that the spirit of peace was breathing over their beloved land. A fine example was set on the previous night in the British House of Commons in the unanimity displayed in reference to the Treaty by all parties. Here were assembled men who in the past held diametrically opposed views, but who unhesitatingly and chivalrously wiped out the past to ensure a bright future for Ireland. Why could not Irishmen do that ? To-day, speaking on behalf of their profession, so intimately associated as they had been with the life and well-being of this country, he did not hesitate to appeal to all his fellow-countrymen

would be equally affected. Nevertheless, individual Solicitors or any body of Solicitors who desired to make suggestions or give information of any kind based on their professional experience, could rest assured that they would receive from the Council every encouragement. The Council was only too willing and anxious to co-operate with such Solicitors in placing before the Judiciary Committee the considered views of the profession as a whole. The Council would welcome the presenta tion of their views by country Solicitors, either through the medium of the Council or independently. Personally, he thought much practical good would be achieved by a conference in Dublin between country Solicitors and the Council. Such an exchange of views would necessarily be productive of much common good. It was anticipated that the terms of reference of the Committee would be com prehensive. Article 67 of the Constitution provided that: " the number of Judges, the constitution and organisation of and distribution of business and jurisdiction among the said Courts and Judges, and all matters of procedure, shall be as prescribed by the laws for the time being in force and the regulations made thereunder." It would thus be seen that the findings of that Committee might be very far-reaching in their effect on the future of the legal professions. An important matter which had been engaging the attention of the Council since the issue of the Report was the constitution of the Senate. They would remember that a resolution was adopted by the Dail, under which the President of the Free State, in nominating members to the Senate with a view to the providing of representation for groups or parties, was to consult with repre sentative persons and bodies, amongst the latter being that Society. In accordance with that resolution they received from the President a request that that Society would forward to him nominations for the Senate. |^In compliance with that request the Council had selected and forwarded names to the President to assist him in making a selection. He was at liberty to say that in the making