DOMESTIC CASES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 204, 29 August 1934, Page 8

DOMESTIC CASES.

HEARINGS IN COURT.

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC.

MINISTER'S UNDERTAKING.

(By Tplpgr-ipi:

—Parli"nientnry Importer.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

An undertaking that he would ask all magistrates to exclude from the Courte

persons who were in no way connected with the proceedings, when oases of a domestic character were being heard, was liven by the Minister of Justice, Mr. Ccbbe, to-day, when replying to a deputation from the National Council of Women.

Miss C. E. Kirk, Dominion president, said the deputation asked that in affiliation, maintenance and (separation cases idle members of the public who had no connection with the case should be excluded. They did not ask for the exclusion of .members of t'he legal profession, recognised social workers, friends of the parties and the Press.

Replying to «Iw depuration, the Minister said he was entirely in sympathy with the objects of the deputation, but the Government had to be careful that something was not done which would have a harmful effect. He had made inquiries, and had found that a special room in Wellington was allocated to bhe hearing of domestic eases.

"I quite agree that loafers should not be allowed to hang round," said the Minister. He stressed the danger of passing legislation that might go too far, and said he wae prepared to write to all magistrates asking them to have the Court cleared of persons not connected with the cases.

Miss Kirk: That would give us great satisfaction.

The Minister: We will see how that works. If it has no effect, come and see me again.