National promises easier divorce and more police

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33987, 30 October 1975, Page 3

National promises easier divorce and more police

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 29. A National government would pass legislation allowing divorce . after two years compulsory waiting if a marriage had broken down irreconcilably, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Muldoon) said today. Announcing the party’s ' Taw and order policy, Mr [Muldoon said the proposed i law would require consultation and a genuine attempt at reconciliation, but ( would not require proof of: fault. Where a marriage had legally ended, matrimonial property would be divided., equally between the spouses;' — although the court could overrule this presumption: where considered necessary in the interests of fairness and equity.

"National also recognises the need for major changes in the law relating to maintenance and custody, and will call for a comprehensive study of these areas,” Mr Muldoon said. “National believes that as far as possible, the law relating to the family should be brought together under the one act. Consideration will be given to setting up a special family court to deal with all legal matters affecting the family.” Protection of the institution of marriage and the family unit would govern; any approach to family lawi reform by a National government, he said. The party’s policy said the rule of law would be maintained, and that the police force would be increased in ’size and effectiveness. National believed that New Zealand’s streets should Ibe kept safe for people to [walk on. ! “Special attention will be given to the maintenance of mobile team policing and to the adequacy of crime pre-| vention and patrolling in suburban residential areas,l where the need for an; effective police presence is I recognised.” The work of the Probation’ Service would be extended; and greater involvement byj the public in pre-release andi post-release assistance would be encouraged. National I would ensure that penal in-; stitutions were well staffed; and had the necessary psychiatric support, Mr Mui-; doon said. Although National be- ' lieved that every individual's' right to privacy should be I encouraged, it was opposed to the “proliferation of pri-' vacy authorities” established by the Labour Government. “The powers of these authorities will be vested in a human rights commission. The commission will be given authority to investigate any allegation of breach of individual privacy by State and local authorities, community and private organisations and individuals.” In the field of commercial law, a National government would review the law for the better protection of investors shareholders, creditors, and others adversely affected by financial collapse. The party accepted that there were imperfections in

the existing law relating to I defamation, and would look at proposals to make it] more fair and certain, and less inhibiting. A study would be made of the presentation of the statutes and the use of new technological aids to improve access to details of statutes, and the possibility of making ready reference summaries of the contents of acts of Parliament available to the public on payment of a small fee. The party recognised the need for a “less costly, speedier and generally more [ efficient administration of I justice in our courts,” Mr! Muldoon said. As soon as possible it 1

i[would attempt to improve J the court system in the : i short term and also set up I. an independent commission of inquiry, comprising lay-] f men as well as lawyers, to ■ investigate the system. ' National would also with-' • draw the recent law prohibt iting the publication of the ■’ names of accused persons ! until found guilty. > it would give close consid- ■ eration to the recommendt ations of the Royal Commission on the Sale of Liquor ) with a view to further modernising the liquor laws. An alcoholic liquor advisory council as recommended by the Royal commission ! would be set up, Mr Muldoon said.