LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14844, 9 December 1913, Page 9

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(-BRIDGED PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORT),

Monday, Decqibes 8

AFTERNOON SITTING

The Council met at 2.30 p.m.

DIVORCE BILL,

Tho Hon. i> , . H. D. BELL moved the cotaniittal of the Divorce and Alatnmoniai Causes Act Amendment Bill.

'lne Hon. J. B. CALLA.V said the Biii did not materially increase the giounas tor divorce.

Tiic Hon. J. RIGG said he did not agree witii Mr Cahan. Tne Bill -tiia, in nis opinion, increase tne grounus of divorce, but it did not go »ar enough. Ho proposed to move that the period of wihul desertion for which divorce is obtainable be reduced from five years to two years. Tue Hon. 0. SAMUEL agreed with the amendment. If a woman with a drunken husband could obtain a divorce in four years, a woman who has been deserted should be able to free herself in less than five years. The Hon. J. E. JENKIN6ON, the Hon. W. BEEHAN, and the Hon. C. M. LUKE deprecated any attempt to open the door to divorce more widely.

The Hon. F. H. D. BELL said that but for an obligation to the Imperial authorities there would have been no Divorce Bill this session, as, jersonally, he was not in favour of making nuro easy the severance of the marriage tic, upon the sacrednese of which the foundation of society rested. He would strenuously oppose the amendment to be moved "by the lion. Mr Rigg.

The motion, to go into Committee was carried.

Mr RIGG moved his amendment as indicated, bat made tho term three years instead of two. The MINISTER earnestly asked the Council not to r*iss the amendment, and it was lo6t by 16 votes to 8.