PENDING DIVORCES
LOW PERCENTAGE U.S. TROOPS & N.Z. BRIDES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 24. “The percentage of pending divorces between American servicemen and their New Zealand brides is extremely low in comparison with peacetime divorce rates in both countries,” stated United States authorities in Auckland interviewed this morning. Of over 1000 marriages in the Auckland area, .they said, there was a record of only 25 cases where divorces were pending or contemplated—a rate of only 3£ per cent. This was considered a remarkable record in view of the international aspect of the marriages and the fact that in almost all cases the husbands and wives had been separated for a considerable time. “Generally speaking, it is extremely difficult for a New Zealand bride to successfully contest a divorce suit instituted by an American serviceman husband, mainly due to the fact that the divorce laws in the United States are more liberal in most cases than in the Dominion,” continued the authorities. ‘lt has to be remembered that the laws of the State where the serviceman files suit for divorce is the law upon which it will be decided, notwithstanding the fact that the marriage was consummated in New Zealand. There is variance, however, in the laws of the different jurisdictions as regards grounds for divorce. In the State of South Carolina divorce is not granted on any grounds, but in other jurisdictions there are many different grounds for divorce, some being more liberal than others, hence the divorce grounds available to an American serviceman married to a New Zealand girl depend on the laws of the State where the serviceman is domiciled.
“It is not generally realised that the consent of the defendant is not necessary for divorce proceedings under New Zealand, American or English law. The wives of American servicemen faced with divorce problems should notify the American Consulate in Auckland, or the American Legation in Wellington, ’ the authorities added.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21853, 25 October 1945, Page 6
Word Count
319PENDING DIVORCES Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21853, 25 October 1945, Page 6
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