An Unjust Law.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19267, 2 January 1931, Page 9

An Unjust Law.

A Woman s View.

JT IS SURPRISING that England has not yet realised the injustice of a law which permits a married man to pauperise his widow while leaving all his money to another woman. This is what Sir Sefton Brancker has done. He has bequeathed £6690 to an actress and left Lady Brancker dependent on the generosity of the State. In similar circumstances in New Zealand, the wife would have an immediate appeal to law against such an arbitrary action. For what right has a man who, at marriage, promises to endow his wife with his worldly goods, to leave her penniless at his death? So long as he is alive he is obliged to maintain her, and if he died intestate the State would see that both the widow and the children were provided for out of the estate. If marriage is any sort of partnership the woman has as much right to a share in the disposal of the material benefits as the man. In no circumstances should a man have the power to leave her penniless, and often helpless, at middle age. B.E.S.