DEFAULTING HUSBANDS

Evening Star, Issue 19186, 1 March 1926, Page 6

DEFAULTING HUSBANDS

A SERIOUS QUESTION METHODIST CONFERENCE PERTURBED This conference draws the attention of the Minister of Justice to the number of men deserting their wives and families and leaving them dependent on the various orphanages and the Government. It urges that the police be asked to use all vigilance to prevent such deserters leaving the dominion and bring them to’ justice. Such was the wording of a motion standing in the name of tho Hon. L. M. Isitt, which was considered at tho Methodist Conference this morning. In the absence of Mr Isitt, tho Rev. J. Harris moved the motion. The Rev. J. A. Lochore (Potonc) said that this was a most important question, and one that was receiving the attention of hospital boards and like bodies. He made mention of a scheme supporting the establishment of a farm where such men could bo made to work for the maintenance of their wives and children. This deserting was going on all over the dominion. “ At least two-thirds of tho applications that come before us are the result of men deserting their families,” said the Rev. J. Harris (Christchurch). The Rev. A. Mitchell (Feikling) mentioned a case with which ho had to deal only last week, where a man with eight children had left them. , Mr Lochore: There is a strong feeling that the magistrates are dealing too lightly with these offenders, and there is a high tide of feeling rising against the magistrates for their leniency.

One of the lay representatives averred that if Prohibition was carried there would be l°ss of this business.

The President said that this was a matter of growing importance. The resolution was carried. Following a suggestion by the Rev. Dr Laws, the Temperance and Morals Committee was asked to associate itself with any other bodies approaching tho Government in respect of this matter.