MATRIMONIAL COURTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17410, 24 May 1928, Page 13

MATRIMONIAL COURTS.

MAKING COUPLES HAPPY. Preparations were well advanced when the last mail left London for the presentation in the British Parliament of a Bill providing for the establishment of courts which will deal exclusively with matrimonial troubles. It has been generally recognised by prominent social workers for some time past that much of the time of police court magistrates in London and all over the country is taken up with the consideration of desertion and separation cases and other instances of marital differences.

Very often magistrates are too much occupied with the general run of criminal offences to give husbands and wives the necessary sympathetic attention which their cases demand, and it has been felt that much matrimonial unhappiness could be avoided if such couples could have the benefit of separate courts, where expert knowledge and experience could be brought to bear on their difficulties. Mr Harry Snell, the Labour member for East Woolwich, has interested himself in the matter, and has been working busily at the scheme, which, it is hoped, will result in the establishment of the Courts of Domestic Relations in which these delicate matrimonial problems will receive the special attention they deserve. Curiously enough, Mr Snell is a bachelor, but bis life work in the field of social reform has brought him into close contact with many cases of connubial infelicity. Mr Snell’s idea has received pretty general support, and among many other sympathisers who have communicated with him, expressing approval, are several magistrates. Mr Cairns, the Thames Police Court magistrate, is an ardent supporter of the project. "The ordinary police courts often have to deal with petty domestic grievances, most of which could be smoothed over In a eonservational interview,” is Mr Cairns's opinion. "It is problematical whether a Bill for the provision of these courts can be introduced this season.” said Mr Snell, in an interview, lie said that there was strong reason for thinking that it will receive general support when it is introduced, however. “There are many details to work tnit,” continued Mr Snell. "It may be that the work can be done in the existing courts apart from the ordinary business. There undoubtedly is a strong feeling of resentment among the poor people all over the country that their matrimonial troubles should be made public in the usual court atmosphere of crime.”