SEPARATION LAW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23183, 1 November 1938, Page 10

SEPARATION LAW

domestic belations SALVAGING MARRIAGES RECONCILIATION OF COUPLES [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Monday Steps that have already been taken with a view to devising some procedure that will bo helpful in bringing about reconciliation of married couples contemplating separation were explained by the Minister of Justice, the Hon. H. G. B. Mason, in an interview this evening. Ho said that inquiries were being made abroad to ascertain if there was any such procedure suited to New Zealand. If nothing helpful was found as a result of these inquiries, the Dominion would have to devise its own procedure to ensure that every effort was made to avoid separation. Mr. Mason said the idea that there should be provision for reconciliation had been discussed and it was now. some considerable time since the Justico Department was first given definite instructions to look into the matter with a view to the introduction of some such provision into the law. It seemed to him just a little bit absurd that in the Supreme Court after a divorce had been obtained on the grounds of separation for three years thero was an interval of three months before the divorce was made absolute, as if thero were some chance of salvaging that marriage, whereas the really critical decision, which almost inevitably led to divorce, was made when the parties were first separated by a magistrate. At that stage there was not even three days, let alone three months, to give consideration to the question whether it was possible to salvage tho marriage. It was this consideration which led to the department receiving instructions to inquire into what was being done in other countries with a view to seeing if the procedure there could be conveniently adapted to New Zealand. ' "If we can find another procedure that suits us we will adopt it; with or without modifications," said Mr. Mason. "If we don't find anything helpful, then we will adopt our own procedure to ensure that every effort is made to avoid separations. My own ; view is that many married couples could be definitely helped from the proposed arrangement, but it will depend largely upon the intervention of a suitable person,. That person must ha\ e much Understanding as well as goodwiU." ' •