DIVORCE MADE EASY

Evening Star, Issue 19143, 9 January 1926, Page 9

DIVORCE MADE EASY

DECREES IN SOUTH AFRICA. SIMPLE AND CHEAP. PROCEDURE. ‘ There is no country in the British Empire where divorce can h© so, easily and cheaply obtained as ini the Union of South Africa. Provided both par-ties desire to have the matrimonial tie severed, decrees of divorce are granted by the Provincial Divisions of the Supremo Court without any washing of “ dirty linen." Misconduct need not be proved or;-’ even alleged—all that is necessary being lor one of the parlies to refuse to live with the other. _ Then an order is made for the restitution of conjugal rights, and if that order is not obeyed within throe months a decree of divorce automatically follows. ...

Although divorce can hardly bo described as a necessary of life, beneliciout Governments have brought it within the reach of the very poor. Provided one can show that beyond one’s personal effects one’s cstato is not worth moro than £lO, tho court grants leave to suo in forma pau- v peris. Tho allegation of poverty must ho .supported by tho of two householders. Having obtained permission to suo in forma pauperis, tho applicant has to pay the following modest fees;—Court stamps_ on application, 3s; service of petition, ss; total, 13s. The only additional expenses may bo for -witnesses. Public attention is now being directed to tho very easy way in which divorces can bo obtiiiuod, often as tjio result of collusion, and moro than one judge has commented strongly upon the matter.