DOMESTIC TROUBLES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 8

DOMESTIC TROUBLES

' COURTS NO ASSISTANCE

MAGISTRATE'S ATTITUDE

(By Telegraph.)

(Special"to "The Evening Post.")

'•■■'•' . DUNEDIN, This Day. ' ■ The suggestion that •. a • special 'Court should be set up to ■ deal with domestic differences was discussed in an outspoken manner by Mr. J.'R.. Bartholomew, S.M t ,' iit the annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children this afternoon. '- • . ''■ ' Mr. Bartholomew said that, very often. in cases of domestic trouble reconciliation could be brought) about away from Courts. He had seen that in'some quarters there had been an advocacy of a Court of 'Domestic Relations. On the. surf ace the idea appeared to be attractive, but it did not follow that-what would suit >conditions in London would suit New. Zealand, where people of an entirely, different mentality had to be dealt with. He was not at all in favour of the idea.'He thought that in some respects it would be distinctly mischievous. When ■ two -people got married they had to accommodate themselves 'to each other, and as everyone knew, nothing was more resented than outside interference. To. bring people before such a tribunal, dignified, of course, by the, name he had mentioned, would .not get over any difficulties.. A wife-might take her hiis-' band to such a Court in order to have him given "a good dressing down," but the husband in mo& cases -would .make up his mind to give, his wife" a good deal more than he took. -

If facts were looked in the face, continued Mr. Bartholomew,' it could easily be seen that diffifficulties • could not be smoothed over by a few platitudes or words of advice. The Court 'might _ work under • Mussolini rule, - but, otherwise it would not be effective or workable. He very much • preferred the present system by which the efforts of the society's agent—a tactful and experienced womanwere brought to bear upon an adjustment of domestic differences. When the parties were brought into Court the breach was only widened and obstacles were placed in the way of fi reconciliation. .