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DECEMBER, 1919]
The Gaeette of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland.
13
also in all the expenses connected with the
practising of their profession. The matter
had been several times considered by the
Council during the past year, and they
collected a considerable amount of infor
mation as to prices, expenses, etc., which
made it quite clear that if the members of
the profession were to carry on their practice
and live they must secure an increase in their
remuneration. The English Society passed
a resolution claimimg 100 per cent, increase ;
but however that might be, it would be the
duty of the incoming Council to take the
matter up, and to see that such an increase
was made in the present scale as the cir
cumstances warranted.
MR. W. T. SHERIDAN (Vice-President)
seconded the adoption of the Report.
MR. JAMES BRADY said that having
regard to the coming into operation of the
Proportional Representation Act he thought
that the system of election should be applied
to membership of the Council, and he sug
gested that the matter should be considered
by the incoming Council. With regard to
the amalgamation of the two branches of the
profession, he quite agreed with the report,
and thought that they would only be beating
the air with regard to that matter unless they
had a strong public opinion behind them.
As long as the public tolerated the expense
of two branches it was a matter entirely for
them. He personally was in favour of one
branch only ; but unless there was a strong
public opinion it was only wasting time
dealing with the matter.
In reference to
the question of costs, he hoped that the
Council would carefully consider the matter.
They heard much about " profiteering " and
objections to putting the Act in force, but
it was a strange thing that they of that
profession were the only members of the
community whose bills were subject
to
taxation, while merchants and commercial
men were at perfect liberty to furnish bills
and demand payment without question.
Solicitors were often
accused
of being
" profiteers," but
those who made
the
accusation should now come in with them and
subject themselves to the taxation of their
bills. He thought it was deplorable that,
with a membership of 1,500 Solicitors on the
Roll in Ireland, there were only 800 who had
sufficient sense of comradeship to join the
Society, and that only 400 came forward to
elect the Council. The time had come to
compel non-members
to
join;
in
fact,
arrangements were being made to try and
do so.
As regards the War Memorial, it
was a pity that there should be any difficulty
in raising a large sum towards the object
which the Council had in view.
MR. T. H. R. CRAIG strongly urged upon
the incoming Council to consider whether it
was not possible to compel all Solicitors to
join the Society which was the governing
body of their profession.
MR. GEOGHEGAN said that during the
year the Council did great work, especially
for the country Solicitors, and it was unfair
that only a comparatively small number of
members of the profession had joined the
Society.
MR. JAMES HENRY stated that com
pulsory membership
raised
considerable
difficulties,
if
compulsion were used, it
would correspond to the difference between a
volunteer army and an army of conscripts.
MR. GAMBLE said he was in favour of the
suggestion of compulsory membership.
THE PRESIDENT pointed out that it
would require an Act of Parliament to carry
out the suggested proposal, but he had no
doubt that the new Council would consider
the question.
The Report was unanimously adopted.
MR. T. H. R. CRAIG, in accordance with
notice of motion, moved :—
" That a Committee consisting of nine
County Court practising Solicitors and
members of this Society (three to be
nominated by the Council of the Incor
porated Law Society, one each to be
nominated by the Dublin Sessions Bar,
the Northern Law Society and the Southern
Law Association, and three to be co-opted
to represent the other local Bar Associa
tions in Ireland) be appointed to draft a
bill or bills to be introduced into Parlia
ment.
(1) To give effect to the findings of
the recent Commission on Sheriffs and
Baliffs, (2) To give effect to the several
amendments of County Court practice and
procedure recommended to and by this
Society within the past twenty years, and
(3) Where necessary, to repeal or amend
such parts of the Judicature (Ireland) Acts