CIVIC LEAGUE MEETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 186, 7 August 1936, Page 11

CIVIC LEAGUE MEETS.

WOMEN'S PROPERTY RIGHTS,

A matter 6f .interest to'all .married women with property was at the monthly meeting of the Civic Leaguee, held in the Penwomen's clubrooms yesterday afternoon. The president. Mrs. Kenneth Gordon, presided. The secretary read a memorandum, received recently by the v league, from n_ prominent lawyer, which drew attention to the fact that in the new Law Reform Bill . which was recently introduced ilito Parliament by the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H.' G. R. Mason, there was a clause which proposed to abolish a scheme which had been in force for 150 years for the protection of married women's property. This scheme, commonly known as the "Restraint Against Anticipation," ensured the settling of property upon married women for their sole and separate use! without ally interference bv husbands.

Members expressed ■ the opinion that the abolition of this safeguard might be a dangerous step, and it was decided to send a letter to the Minister of Justice deploring the introduction of a measure which would appear to be a retrograde step and one highly detrimental to the best interests of married women. The Minister would also be asked to favour the league with an explanation as to why it had been foUnd necessary to delete this protec- i tive clause.

Sir George Richardson's recently pro' pounded scheme for a municipal com* munity chest to obviate the necessity for so' many street collections was also discussed, and it was decided to send a letter expressing the league's approval, but- asking how it was proposed to work the scheme. If it was found practicable the league would give it its strong support. It was also decided to send a letttr to the Minister of Railways congratulating him on making a start on the elimination of railway crossings.