§ MR. MONTAGU (Tower Hamlets, Whitechapel)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been drawn to Report in the Daily News of the 7th instant of a case tried before Mr. Montagu Williams, in which the following words appear:—
The magistrate said that not half the evidence was before him, but he had no doubt that the child of Mrs. Cohen was lent for the purpose of this conspiracy, and that the prisoners, like their nation and religionists always did, lied as deep as they could lie to back up that conspiracy. Whether it would be proved was another matter.And, if such expressions were really uttered, will any notice be taken of the use by a Magistrate on the Bench of words reflecting on all persons of a particular faith?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.I am informed by the Magistrate that he did not use the exact words as reported. What he said was that—
The prisoners had lied as deeply as they could, and that the perjury which was committed at his Court by many of their co-religionists was perfectly appalling.Although these words have a much narrower application than the expressions given in the Report, I cannot conceal my opinion that the practice of making general comments from the Bench in particular cases is open to considerable objection.