The Blessings of Divorce.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 13, 28 September 1910, Page 60

The Blessings of Divorce.

Ah’. Plowden, the popular, anil even to us out here, celebrated presid nr of the Alarylebone police-court, gave his views on “the blessings of divorce” to the Hoyal Commission, just before the mail left, and showed (says the ’ Pall Mall Gazette”) no falling-away from his usual lightness and originality in their enunciation. lie will regard its as hopelessly old-fashioned when we describe them as a little too Pagan even for these comparatively emancipated days. IL* thinks people would realise the true meaning of marriage more clearly if the (oiemony were rendered compulsorily a civil one before a registrar. Reconsiders t at when the Press is accused of reporting nauseous details it can retort very effectively by pointing to the indelicacy of the Church marriage service. And it is his view that the easier divorce is made the greater will he the weight and stability of the so-called “Holy Estate.'* Mr. Plowden is. of course, entitled io his • opinions, and it is well that the ( ommission should have heard them so frankly expressed. We are. however, rather doubtful if much good would accrue to England by a legal conformation of the morals of its nun and women with those of a monkey-house. The great mass of our countrymen and countrywomen attach high sanctity to the religious service. and do not regard marriage merely as a civil contract. There are health and dignity to the national life in that conception. and in its effect upon the family and the home; and io suggest its debasement to a more contract of association is a const ruction that even a man of the world should not put upon it.