GUARDIANSHIP OF INFANTS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 9

GUARDIANSHIP OF INFANTS

NEW ENGLISH BILL.

(FROM OUR OWN COERESPOSDENT.)

I ■„...-.: XONDOK,..I2th July. . A Joint.Cpmhiitteefoflijrds and^Cpmriions is at preseht considering the Guardianship of In/ants Bill, .which provides that the, mother of every legitimate infant shall be guardian jointly'with the father for. all ..purposes; and havo eqnal authority,; /rights,,,and..: ■'responsibilities.,. Ihe Earl of Wemyss occupies the chair': This week Mr. Frederick Sharp, who was practising the law in Wellington- for some ten years until 1913; was, asked,to .give- evidence as an,expert on the guardianship of infants under "New Zealand , law. Mr. Sharp explained the provisions lof the Family, . Maintenance -Act- and other Acts' which. safeguardVthe interjest of children. Legislation in New Zealand,; he said; favoured'the workman,' women, and children. He showed how a woman could obtain an order from a Magbtrate's Court for: what was considerea by -the Court the proper ; for a child.;. He, explained-the drastic penalties;provided' by law for,a husband.who' failed to pay a maintenance order, or/attempted: to leave, the country-after.;a- complaint has, been made,, or .while an order was In .operation.' Whereas the Bill'before th« iConimittee,"-Mr.- ■ Sharp said/-referred to "legitimate infant," the New, Zealand; Act invariably spoke of infant, thus putting the welfare of the illegitimate infant, on the same footing as legitimate offspring. . ..-■■■:;■ "There seems to Jhaye been a'very considerable; invasion in-New Zealand law.-"■>■ said, a -member.vof the.^Committee - i'on-. ;behalf of.the \yomen and children. ' Hastliis had any ill' effect?''—'fWe: are- a docile race,;f. Replied. Sir. Sharp> "and we obey, the laws." „ ■ , - - The English Bill is;on faMy^dvan C e£ lines, and_ o ne f et . that the .explanation.' giv^n of i New l Zealand l p V ecedents relieved; consideratioh, ' ."■ "•"" ■-^""■ B?"-