Attitude of the Legal Profession: Deputation to Meet Mr. Chamberlain: The attitude of the legal profession towards National Service was considered at the annual meeting of the Birmingham Law Society yesterday. Mr. A. L. Lowe, the president, pointed out that, however much they might lose themselves for few moments in other matters, it was the successful prosecution of the war that their thoughts were continually turning. The Law Society had appointed a special committee, of which Mr. R. A. Pinsent was a member, to wait upon Mr. Neville Chamberlain, who had promised to communicate with the society soon as felt himself in a position usefully to receive a deputation from the council on the subject. Members of their own society had written him asking if it would not be possible for the society to render valuable help in carrying out the scheme of National Service. Several of their members had given, and were giving, much of their time in acting as special constables, members of the volunteer force, as military representatives, and assistant clerks to the local and appeal tribunals. They were not, he was sure, less patriotic than other classes of men; their difficulty was that they could give only part of their time. True, Mr. Chamberlain had said one whole timer was worth ten part-timers, but still the latter were worth something, and while Mr. Lowe was not at present clear as to whether the Society could formulate any scheme, could say the committee would be only too glad to receive and consider any practical suggestion from any of the members. He would urge upon all members that they should very seriously consider whether there could not be further self-sacrifice or even something more than they were already doing for the service of the State. Mr. R. A. Pinsent wrote expressing the view that whilst he did not think the solicitors’ profession as such could claim to be an essential trade, still the greater part their work was of national importance.
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0738 Devonport: Richard Alfred Pinsent: 1852 – 1948