DIVORCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1907, Page 5

DIVORCE.

DISCUSSED BY THE COUNCIL OF CHURCHES. Divorce made easy was discussed at last night's meeting of the Council of the Evangelical Churches, when objection was mado to what was termed a "very grave scandal" in tho provisions of the law as to divorce. Specific objection was made to the "restitution of conjugal rights" provision, and it was stated that this made it possible for a couple to be married, divorced, ajid married again all within a twelvemonth. A. motion was moved by the Rev. Mr. Fairclougb, in tho following terms : — "Whereas the law relating to the restitution of conjugal rights pcoves to be a very short cut to divorce, which was probably not the intention of the •Legislature, "it is desirable that the law be so amended as, while retaining the right' of action for alimony, to prevent the issue of any order disobedience to which would bo equivalent to five years' or any other period of desertion." In course of discussion, tho Rev. My. 'Ward abked whether there was Jiot a danger in making this defect public, as was now being done; but he was answered that if he could indicate a way of getting amendment without publicity, the meeting would be glad to hear it. Ths Rev. Mr. North quoted figures to show that since the Amending Acts had been given forco to, the number of divorces had quadrupled. He favoured the making of representations to the Government regarding the blemish referred to in the resolution, believing that the Catholic and Anglican clergy would support ths movement. Tho Rev. Dr. Gibb advocated carrying tho subject further, by calling attention to tho gravity of tho situation in refpect of divorces, as shown by the increased proportion of divorces in this country. It wss a serious condition of affairs indeed that this facilitating of divorce should continue, and that the toleration of divorce new so widely obtaining should bo allowed to continue without attenpfc at remedy. The sanctity of the marriago bond was practically the foundation of all progress and social we'J-being, and ;t; t seemed to him that the present trend was in the direction of the old-time paganism. The resolution moved by Mr. Fairdough was carried, and endorsement was also given to Dr. Gibb's proposition. The matter was then referred to the executive with power to approach or not. approach the Catholic and Anglican Churches — as deemed best — with a reqiiO3t for co-operation. In course of n discussion on the matter it tvas stated by the Rev. Mr. Dawson, and endorsed by tho Roy. Mr. Fairclough, that little support had been received in the past from those churches, but other member* pointed out that in regard to Bible in schools and some other questions the Anglican Church had given strong support.