FRENCH WIVES' CHARTER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22343, 5 March 1938, Page 3

FRENCH WIVES' CHARTER

BRITISH ACT AS MODEL 1 The • French Parliament has passed 'a bill granting to French married women rights much on the lines of the Married Women's Property Act in England. bill slightly modifies the marriage oath by eliminating the words, "The wife owes obedienc to her husband." It substitutes a text which proclaims that the husband is head of the family, that he can choose the domicile of the family, and that his wife is compelled to cohabit. The alternative, as formerly, is a justifiable claim for divorce. Other points of. the bill are of considerable importance to married women inasmuch as they stipulate that: 1. A married woman may enter the university pass examinations for various liberal professions, have a separate bank account, draw and sign cheques in her own name, accept an inheritance or gifts, and witness a will, subject to the provisions of the civil code concerning private property. 2. A married woman also may carry on a business in her own name with her husband's consent. She may also choose a separate profession, but in this case her husband may oppose this action, unless his disapproval is contrary to the family interests. The wife may appeal for a ruling of the Court. PARTY AT FERNSIDE Mrs H. E. Evans, ("Mairangi," Fernside) was hostess at a farewell party in honour of Miss M. Carpenter, who will leave shortly for Auckland, to take up Karitane nursing. The diningroom was arranged for bridge and "500," and games and competitions were played in the drawing-room Colonel J. A. Mackenzie, on behalf of the Fernside Tennis Club, presented a bedroom clock to Miss Carpenter, with the good wishes of members. Winners of competitions were Miss M. Carpenter (2), Miss M. M. Martin, Miss R. Smith, Messrs L. Carpenter and W. Jamieson. - Amongst those present were Mesdames H. E. Evans, A. M. Carpenter, S. C. Hewitt. J. A. Mackenzie. T. Macintosh, W. Evans, R. Sutherland, R. Taylor, W. Smith, Misses E. Carpenter B and N, Evans, R. and R. Smith, M. M. Martin, Colonel J. A. Mackenzie, Messrs H. E. Evans, S. C. Hewitt, A. M. Carpenter, R. Taylor, T. Taylor. O. Taylor, E. Rands, R. Sutherland, W. Evans, W. Jamieson, E. Evans, G. Mitchel, L. Carpenter, and R. Ellen.