MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 39, 15 August 1921, Page 8

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE

"How Shall we View Marriage Today?" was the subject dealt with by the Rev. S. Robertson Orr at the Artcraft Theatre last night. The very nature of modern marriage, he said, was being challenged , to-day; and tho tendency of thought in some quarters was nothing more or less than a return to polygamy in its successive form instead of the simultaneous. The State held that it was a private and civil contract having to do }with the State and.society, and not necessarily a matter of religion. It was rather surprising to find, in spite of attacks upon the Christian view ofmarriage, that State-performed marriages showed a decrease rather than an increase in this Dominion. In 1916 tho Church consummated 6502 marriages, while the State performed 1720, or slightly over 21 per cent., whereas in 1920 the Church consummated 11,102 and the State 2143, or slightly over 17 per cent. The Christian view of marriage in tho Protestant Church was that Christ was a partner in the con-, tract. This was given in symbol in the New Testament, where Christ and His disciples were invited to the marriage. It was a threefold bond, into which Christ and His Church entered as factors. Tho mischief arose from the fact that there was a multitude of Christless marriages, and so married misery was increased. A way out was naturally sought,- and found through the State. The State claimed the right to say when the bonds should continue or cease. Though the Church might be divided on its views of marriage, it was not divided in its opposition to the late legislation, which opened the door to more misery than it relieved. Civil marriage was an honourable contract, nnd should be observed in an honourable State. Easy divorce tampered with the fabric of society, robbed the child of si precious heritage, and interfered with the making of citizens. The old-fashioned home was the school of duty and public service as well as the fountain of moral and religious instruction.

The Home Economics Association held a meeting in the V.M.C.A., Christchurch, when there was a large attendance of members. Further arrangements in connection with the Thrift Exhibition which is to be heJd next week were made, and it was reported that excellent entries were being obtained. The exhibition will comprise classes -in cookery, needlework, leatherwork, woodwork, boot and shoe repairing, knitting, toymaking, etc. This will be the ■ second Thrift Exhibition held by the association, and it is intended to make such exhibitions a. regular part of the association's programme. These exhibitions are of much interest; and give excellent ideas for economical effects in many households. Some years ago some Wellington ladies, combined in providing dinners at a.niinimum expense, a prize being offered for the best and cheapest meal. A wellknown Wellington woman was the winner, with a tasty little'two-course meal which cast one and threepence for four people,