IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 138, 12 June 1911, Page 5

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

WIFE DESERTERS. RECIPROCITY PROPOSALS. By Cable.—Press Af-focia-Hon.—Copyright.) LONDON, June 10. At yesterday's sitting of the Imperial Conference Sir Joseph Ward formally moved, "That in order to relieve deserted wives and children, and in view of the poor relief burdens of Great Britain and her dependencies, a reciprocal provision should be made with respect to destitute and deserted persons. - ' Dr. Findlay (New Zealand AttorneyGeneral) said that reciprocity was needed to enforce decisions of one part of the Empire in another part of it. Wife deserters from England at present could nut be compelled to contribute towards the support of their wives and families in New Zealand except by an expensive process under the Eugitive Offenders Act. Similar conditions existed as between tho Dominions. He hoped shortly to bring in an Act in the New Zealand Parliament to enforce an Australian maintenance order in New Zealand. Mr. Fisher said it would be beneficial if a Federal law on the subject were framed. He suggested that Sir Joseph Ward should omit from his motion the reference to the poor relief burdens of Great Britain, as they had nothing to do with them. Sir Joseph Ward agreed to- this course. Mr. John Burns said that although he might agree with the motion on principle it would be somewhat difficult to find its practical application. His Department considered that the enforcement of maintenance orders would be disproportionate to the benefits. If the Dominions referred the question to their law officers he would discuss with the British law officers the feasibleness of the remedy of making wife desertion a deportable offence. Dr. Findlay thought the matter was sire pie. Whe_ an order was issued in New Zealand a man would be called upon in London to show cause why he should not obey it. Mr. Harcourt suggested that the resolution should read, "That in order to secure justice and protection for deserted wives and children a reciprocal legal provision should be adopted." Sir Joseph Ward acquiesced, and tha motion was carried in that form. The Conference then adjourned until Monday.