DIVORCED WOMAN

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1934, Page 2

DIVORCED WOMAN

INJUSTICE ALLEGED. [pep. press association.] WELLINGTON, September 6. In the House, this afternoon, a claim for compensation on the ground that she had been wrongfully divorced was ventilated, when the Public Petitions Committee referred a woman’s petition to the Government foi’ the most favourable consideration. The facts were that the woman had been in a mental hospital, but on several occasions was allowed out on leave, on one occasion for 19 months. It was stated legal opinion had been taken that the periods during which the woman was on leave were counted as time she was in the institution. When she was served with the papers she was on leave, but consulted the mental hospital authorities, and was assured that her interests would be watched by the Solicitor General, and his Department, but no action was taken. The woman had been cured, but the husband had re-married after the decree absolute was made. Speakers felt the woman had suffered a grave injustice. The Court was told she had been continuously in the institution for seven years, and was not informed of the periods of leave. They considered that had the Judge been informed of the full facts, the divorce would not have been granted. The report was tabled.