MARRIAGE DISPUTES

Evening Star, Issue 23094, 21 October 1938, Page 13

MARRIAGE DISPUTES

COURTS TO RECONCILE ANGLICAN CHURCH TO APPROACH MINISTER [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 20. Unanimous approval of a plan to set up in New Zealand courts of domestic relations was given to-day by the Synod of the Diocese of Christchurch. Such courts, it was urged, might do much to reconcile married couples who otherwise might separate, and concern was expressed at New Zealand’s high percentage of divorces to marriages. The resolution carried, which several speakers declared to be the most important to come before a synod for many years, provided also that the synod should approach_ in the matter the Minister of Justice (Mr H. G. R. Mason). Much of the discussion centred on an outline by the Rev. J. R. Hervey of the work such courts were doing in other countries.

Archdeacon A. K. Warren, opening the discussion, said that the position had been discussed at some length by the general welfare committee. The divorce problem and problems kindred to it were brought to the notice of all synod members in their work. Those who might be tempted to consider the proposal now before the synod either as theoretical or impracticable should suspend judgment until they had heard the references which would be made in the discussion about the success achieved in other countries by courts of domestic relations. He formally moved the following resolution, which he said had come forward from the committee: —

That this synod considers the time has arrived to urge the Government to set up machinery for a court of domestic relations, at which estranged parties contemplating separation may attend in an endeavour to reconcile their differences and avoid divorce proceedings, and that this resolution be sent to the Minister for Justice with a letter of explanation. The motion was carried unanimously. The motion was seconded by Mr E. S. Ellyett, who quoted the divorce rates in New Zealand and compared them with figures for other countries in the Empire. By comparison, although sometimes the figures were not comparable because of the differing grounds for the granting of divorce, New Zealand’s figures were most disquieting. “ In domestic conciliation is to be found a new and hopeful approach to the divorce problem,” said Mr Hervey. “On making inquiries locally, 1 discovered that for some years magistrates, social workers, and even lawyers, have from time to time, and with considerable success, acted as conciliators in domestic disputes. These attempts, of course, have; been purely voluntary, as there does not exist in this country any statutory authority for the application of the method. Inquiries abroad elicited that in several Continental countries there are courts of domestic relations which are legally empowered to deal with this matter.” “If the synod could be instrumental in having domestic conciliation formally recognised and provided for,” concluded Mr Hervey, “it would be assisting to maintain the standard of marriage. It would be strengthening our home life; it would be performing a service to the children, and it would bring joy to married people who, for lack of symoathic counsel, would be thrust into the bitterness of unnecessary separation.”