NOVEL MORAL CODE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 37, 8 February 1912, Page 3

NOVEL MORAL CODE.

A WOMAN AND HER PROTECTOR FINDING A MIAN OUT.

At the Auckland S.M. Court on Friday last, Annie McLeod was called upon to show cause why she should not contribute towards the support of her child in St. Mary’s Industrial School. She deposed she was the ■mother of the child and was divorced from her husband. There was no order for. tho custody of the children. Her husband had come to Auckland and taken one child from the Catholic Homo, and put it into a Protestant one.

Mr Kettle said the father was legally responsible. A young man stepped forward to spoak for Mrs McLeod, said ho was prepared to marry Mrs McLeod, hut would not contribute towards the support of the child when the father might come to claim it later on.

Mrs McLeod said her husband took two children and left her with ono. .She asked: “If I marry this man, can .1 get this child out of St. Mary’s Home ?” Mr Kettle: “I don’t think they will let it out unless you marry. Why don’t you marry him?”

Witness: “I did not marry him at

iirst, as I thought I would got to know him a ■ bit better first. I made one mistake and do not wish to make another. You have to live with a man before you know him,” Mr Kettle: “Have you made up your mind yet?” Witness: “I’ll think it over.” The young man (whose name did not transpire) again stepped forward and made a statement to the effect that the' woman’s husband took her from the Thames to Christchurch, where he left her starving with two children. She had to beg for food for herself and children.

Mr Kettle asked the young man why ho had not married the woman.

He replied that the “young lady” was not willing.' He expected to marry her in a few weeks’ time. Mr. Kettle: “Do you think that fair to the woman?” The Protector : “There are hundreds of couples in Auckland living together who are not married and they seem happier when they are not married. I could point out dozens of couples, and they seem to get on a jol l y sight better than the married ones.” His Worship said ho would make an order against the mother for 5s per week.

The Protector: “She can’t pay it, and I cannot, so there’s an end of it.”

The Mother: “I might pay 2s Cd per week, but not 55.” Mr Kettle: “I tell you you can pay it if you like, and if the money is not forthcoming, further proceedings will probably be taken.” The Pi'oteCtor‘‘She will have to go to work for herself, and I shall go on my own.”

Mr Kettle remarked: “That is the strength of your respect for her,” as the couple left the Court.