GIRL WIFE CHARGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25870, 14 June 1945, Page 6

GIRL WIFE CHARGED

CHILD WELFARE ACT TEST CASE IN NEW SOUTH WALES (0.C.) SYDNEY, June 5. • A test case before the New South Wales courts resulted in a finding that girl wives under the age of 18 can be dealt with under the Slate’s Child Welfare Act, which means they can > be committed- to a corrective institute if deemed to be in “ moral danger.” The girl in the case, an attractive blonde, was married on March 1 without parental consent, to a member of the United States Merchant Marine. He was aged 19 and she was then 16. On March 7 she was arrested and appeared before the Children’s Court, charged under the Child Welfare Act with being a neglected young person and exposed to moral danger. On March 14, a magistrate committed her to an institution. The girl’s solicitor lodged an appeal on her behalf. One of the grounds was that it was contrary to moral law to allege that a married woman over 16 was a neglected young person and exposed to moral danger when she was supported by her husband and in the society of her husband.

The point of law was referred to the New South Wales Full Court, which ruled that any girl under 18, married or single, could be dealt with under the Child Welfare Act. The appeal was referred back to a district court judge to decide the case on its merits. The judge found that on the date of the charge. March 7, the girl was not exposed to moral danger and was living an exemplary life under the care and protection of her husband, who was able to look after her. He quashed the conviction and she was allowed to rejoin her husband.