FAMILY CASES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 153, 26 December 1936, Page 3

FAMILY CASES

MAGISTRATE ON PRESS

Mr. Claud Mullins, the Metropolitan Magistrate, made the following statement recently on taking his seat at South-Western Police Court to hear matrimonial cases, says the "Daily Telegraph":— I have placed on the table in front" of the parties in matrimonial cases, and also in the waiting-room, the following notice:— "You are advised not to talk about your case to Press reporters." This is not aimed at the local newspapers which, within the present law— which I hope will soon be amended — report their cases fairly and unemotionally. But certain London newspapers have recently splashed some of these matrimonial cases, buying the stories of the parties even while the cases were sub judice. This is not fair journalism. It gives the parties a temporary importance which they do not deserve, and i: does definite harm to them. This can be seen from .the report which has been made to me by the Probation Officer here in one of these cases. "Some months . prior to the wife's application the husband had fallen into arrears with his payments on his hirepurchase furniture. "After the publicity the hire-pur-chase firm collected the furniture quite legally, giving as their reason their belief' that the publicity would adversely affect their business. "This couple are now reconciled, but are faced with the1"1 added difficulty of getting fresh furniture." In another recent case there have, we believe, been similar results. The Press generally has supported me in ■ the pioneer work I have tried to do in these sittings.. By this interviewing and exaggerated reporting these newspapers are doing their worst to destroy this work.

LODGE AFFAIRS

SOME RECENT MEETINGS

MANCHESTER UNITY ODDFELLOWS.

Loyal Antipodean Lodge.—Bro. Q. Forbes, Noble Grand, presided over the final meeting for the year. It was decided to nominate Bro. E. W. Guise as Deputy Grand Master for New Zealand. Sick stewards reported on members, and sick pay was passed for. payment. It was resolved that the usual gifts to distressed members be paid, ijodge closed at an early hour, after which the annual reunion was held, this taking the form of a smoke concert, at which the following toasts were honoured:—"The King," "Welling- • ton District of the Manchester Unity," "Visitors," "Loyal Antipodean Lodge.". The lodge paid tribute to the 47 years' service of the financial secretary, Bro. A. Guise. Loyal Rose of the Valley (Auxiliary Juvenile Lodge).—A Christmas tree function was recently held at Lower Hutt, there being a big attendance of juvenile members and visitors. A presentation was made by the juveniles to Bro. and Sister Seddon in recognition of their services to juvenile members. Father Christmas distributed presents from a very attractively arranged Christmas tree. The party was brought to a close at an early hour, it having been decided to omit several items in view of precautionary health measures. ORDER OF FORESTERS. Court Lady Glasgow.—The quarterly meeting was held recently, P.C.R. Sister A. L. H. Parker presiding. A motion of sympathy was passed to the family of the late Bro. C. G. Tester, members standing in silence. Owing to- the resignation of Bro. T. Mark from the office of district treasurer, Bro. F. W. Ward was nominated for the position. Sister Tester, secretary of the ritual committee, announced the winner of the competition for 1936, Court Sir Wm. Jervois gaining that honour, with Court Lady Glasgow as runners-up. The election of officers resulted as follows:— C.R., Sister J. F. Kivell; S.C.R., Sister A. M. Vine; secretary, Sister M. E. Hoy; treasurer, Sister A. Tester; minute' secretary. Sister H. Lawton; S.W., Sister A. Nelson; J.W., Sister S. G. Morris; J. 8., Sister M. B. Carr; mistress of ceremonies, Sister A. L. H. Parker. At the close the evening was spent in harmony.