"CLOSED COURTS"

Evening Post, Issue 20, 23 July 1935, Page 15

"CLOSED COURTS"

AN ERROR CORRECTED

The first business at the meeting of the^National_ Council, of Women Jield iast"evening was to correct an unfortunate impression which must have been given by a report in the Press that the "Wellington branch of the council was in favour of "closed courts." This was an entirely erroneous statement, and the president read the remit prepared for the forthcoming conference which gives the real opinion of the branch.

This runs as , follows:—"That the general public be excluded from the Magistrate's Courts during the hearing of separation, maintenance, and affiliation cases. That only friends desired by the parties, recognised social workers, members of the legal • profession and the Press be admitted."

The president pointed out that this court, known in America as a "Domestic Court," is not a criminal one, and the N.C.W. was only desirous of protecting girls and women who have to explain intimate details of their married life, or of their betrayal—-matters which do not concern the general public at all, and. which are only sought out by an undesirable class of both men and women.

The publication of the incorrect report had given the executive much distress as it had made it appear that the council was advocating something which was far from their wishes or intentions. The wish was expressed again that no unauthorised person should give, information to the newspapers about the council business, but that it should be left, to the, person appointed to_ do this service.