DIVORCE LAW.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17225, 16 August 1921, Page 8

DIVORCE LAW.

. ♦ . LATEST LEGISLATION . CRITICISED. Amongst the many matters which o&me up for diacussion at. last night's meeting, of the. Council of Christian Congregations was the.latest legislation j regarding divorce. Mr Si E. McCarthy, S.M.,' introduced the subject, and went over, the various,grounds on whioh a divorce was obtainable before ■ the passing of-the present legislation. He then read the proviso- in the latest Act permitting the granting of a divorce •after three yearß of mutual separation, aid remarked that under such a law, the whole of' the former doctriiie against oollusion was "wiped off the slate.". If a huiband. and wife tired of each other ' they could now obtain a divorce if they .observed those previsions. .. Mr McCarthy concluded, that in framing such legislation, Parliament had not takenH the children of the marriage into consideration, nor .the effect on the homes themselves, and the children and the homes were two of the.most important factors in the life of a nation. The following resolution was moved by the Ven. Archdeacon Haggitt:— "That; recognising that to live a pure and chaste life before and after marriage is for both sexes the unchangeable, Christian standard./ this council proclaims the universal' obligation of this standard, and its vital importance as an essential condition of happiness. That this council, while fully recognising the difficulty that Governments must have in framing marriage laws for citizens, many of whom do not accept the Christian standard, nevertheless views with grave concern/the lax legis-. lation recently enacted whereby facilities . are offered for easy divorce. In particular, we desire to call attention to the following grave defects: (1) That the clause that makes refusal to.obey an order for the restitution of conjugal rightu a ground,of divorce, opens the door to plot and Two people . may agree to separate, and. to apply, for such a decree, with the full intention of disobeying it. and thus secure instant divorce. The council regards this clause as being so lax as to be a menace to the State; (2) the fact that a divorce may be, granted after three years' separation by mutual consent of the parties, without moral offence having been, committed by either, is a new and unpleasant feature. Moreover, the possibility that one guilty of a moral offence which has resulted in separation may sue the. innocent party, and place him or her in the ppsit'.on of respondent seems to us iniquitous j (3) that this resolution be sent to other-centres of the Dominion, With a view to united action by way of a deputation to the Prime. Minister." ! The motion, which was ..put to the j meeting:in: sections, as indicated, was carried unanimously.