NEW DIVORCE LAW.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XI, Issue 131, 26 May 1921, Page 5

NEW DIVORCE LAW.

IMPORTANT POINT RAISED. DESERTION DURING WAR SERVICE. Wellington, May 25. The recently-amended legislation respecting the granting of divorces provides tnat desertion for a continuous period of three years and upwards is ample and reasonable grounds for the making of a petition Pbr the dissolution of a marriage. A point cropped up at the Divorce Court as to what was continuous desertion 'in the case of a soldier who left the Dominion before the three years was completed. In making his petition, Albert'Arthur Biddle said he married Sarah Maria Biddle in May, 1915, but about six months later she commenced drinking, and left home on several occasions. She finally left the petitioner in 1916, since when he had seen her twice, but she had refused to go back to the home. Petitioner went into camp in 1917. While he was in camp she instituted, but did not proceed with, an action for maintenance. His Honour said it was doubtful whether the wife had deserted the petitioner for a period of three years, as was required by the Act, as the petitioner left the country two years after the respondent deserted him. The wife certainly could not have followed her husband to the war. There was a period of well over three years’ desertion but that period was not continuous. and the Act required that such desertion must be continuous. After legal argument, his Honoiir said he was not at all satisfied in his mind as to the point, and would therefore look into the question more fully before giving his decision, No doubt there had been desertion, but perhaps the petitioner would have to wait a little longer for his divorce.