The Gazette 1936-40

December, 1939]

The Gazette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland

33

but one of esprit de corps, and the effective continuance of its functions, the accom plishment of reforms in the future, the financial means to pursue such activities, and the value of its work and traditions depend on their universal loyalty and sympathy." Centenary. In two years from now the Society will celebrate the centenary of the establishment of its first Committee of organisation and management—the forerunner of the present Council as governing body. May I earnestly express the hope that by that time the membership of the Society will have reached such proportions as to render the occasion not only worthy of, but representative of, the entire profession.: I beg to move the adoption of the Report. Mr. Brennan (Vice-President) seconded the adoption of the Report. Mr. A. E. R. MacCabe drew attention to the paragraph in the Report dealing with the hearing of appeals by the High Court on Circuit with, which> system he expressed disagreement. The President, having replied, put the resolution of adoption of the Report and it was passed unanimously. Mr. Gilmore suggested that a suitable manner for celebrating the centenary of the establishment of the Committee of organiza tion of which the Society was the successor, would be the founding by the Society of two or more annuities for the Solicitors' Benevolent Association. Mr. Brennan (Vice-President) having taken the Chair, on the motion of Mr. H. P. Mayne, seconded by Mr. P. R. Boyd (Vice-Presi dent) a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the President with acclamation. The President, having returned thanks, the meeting terminated. ALL Communications connected with THE GAZETTE (other than advertisements) should be addressed to the Secretary of the Society, Solicitors' Buildings, Four Courts, Dublin, X.XV.S.

ing a distinctly hostile attitude In one case which your Council investigated during the year, comments were made by a Departmental Auditor on a young Solicitor's conduct of affairs, which seemed extremely harsh and unreasonable; and other instances have come to my notice mak ing it quite clear that the Department in question would appear (at any rate up to a recent date) to have regarded our profession as a special object for attack. If the profession wishes to be protected against abuses of this kind, it must organize, and the Council of the Society must be supported by strong and well considered local action. Local Bar Associations already exist in several counties, and where they do exist their action is entirely beneficial and helpful. Solicitors who are not members of this Society must disabuse their minds of the idea that in some way or another the interests of the profession will look after themselves. With a knowledge acquired during a member ship of the Council extending over fifteen years during ten of which I have acted as Hon. Secretary of the Provincial Solicitors' Association, I have no hesitation in uttering a solemn warning that unless Solicitors throughout the country take the necessary steps to organise—in the first instance by means of Local Bar Associations, and through them to support this Society in its efforts on their behalf, it will become increasingly difficult for the Society to continue satis factorily to perform the duties expected of it. I cannot do better in this respect than quote the words of the late Mr. Charles Gamble at page 71 of his excellent hand book, " Solicitors in Ireland 1607-1921," a work with which I may say, in passing, every Solicitor ought to make himself acquainted. He says, "the support of the Incorporated Law Society is a duty which every practising Solicitor owes to his own self respect ; it is not a mere personal matter, to our profession.