THE DIVORCE LAWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1604, 22 November 1912, Page 5

THE DIVORCE LAWS.

,_ : —« VIEWS OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. By Telograph-Preea Association-Copyright . (R-ec. November 21, 11.30.p.m.) London, November 21. 'The Archbishop ,of Canterbury (Dr. Davidson), addressing tho Upper Houso of Convocation, referring to the Royal Commission on divorce, commended tho minority's report. It was a mistake to regard this report as what the Church wanted. It was what the nation neoded.. Lord Halifax, presiding at a meeting of tho English Church. Union, said it was the'positivo duty of the Church to protect the morality of the State by tho abolition -.f divorce. A recent cablegram in the Sydney "Sun" states: The people of England are dividing themselves into two hostile camns over the reports of the Divorce Commission. Supporters of the minority report contend that if divorce is made easier and cheaper it will have a demoralising effect on the homes and the morals' of the country. They approve of tho recommendation that both sexes should be placed on an equality as regards the grounds upon which a dissolution of marriage is obtainable, but say that otherwise the grounds of divoreo should not be extended. The minority report, which was signed by the Archbishop of York, Sir W R. Anson, and Sir L. T. Dibden, favours equality of the sexes, but recommends that valid marriages shall continue indissoluble except in cast; of misconduct. Tho grounds on which the commission recommends that it should be competent for both sexes to obtain divorce wero:— Misconduct, desertion for three years, cruelty, incurable insanity after' five years' confinement, habitual drunkenness after threo years, imprisonment under commuted death ravtenco. Mr. Bernard Shaw considers that the moral to be drawn from the report of tho Divorce Commission is: "Don't get married." Mr. John Galsworthy thinks that the alarm which the report has aroused in church circles is unnecessary. The report seems to him to bo based on a cynical view of human nature. When Julius Caesar crossed the Alps he left his baggage behind. It was too muoh of an impediment. There's no need for you, when travelling, to go without baggage or to worry with it. Got us to check it, and escape all bother. Costs no more. The Now Zealand Express Co Ltd.-Advt "

1 1 » 56 Cuba Street is still jworth a visit of inspection, and our assistants are only too plotiser to demonstrate any or all wonderful "Wertheim" Sowing Machines in either plain sowing or art sewing, and no charge is made for such demonstration. You are most cordially invited to visit us, Orcar Hewett and Co., 56 Cuba Stroot,— Advt.