MARRIAGE & DIVORCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 257, 25 July 1919, Page 8

MARRIAGE & DIVORCE

* PROPOSED NEW LAW IN DENMARK

. RADICAL CHANGES (From a Scandinavian Correspondent of the "Westminster Gazette.") The Danish Premier, Mr.. Zahle, has recently laid before the Folketinjf a Bill for the reform of the laws relating- to marriage and divorce which may bo of interest to English renders. The Banish Bill was drafted by' Committees from Denmark, Norway, ami Sweden, which in itself is indicative of the cultural unity of Scandinavia. The Bili provides for the complete equality of men and women. Breach of promise is recognised, and there is to be no coercion in marriage. A man may not marry unless he is twenty-one years of age, no woman beforo eighteen, though exceptions may be made in certain cases. . Those afflicted with syphilis or lunacy are forbidden to marry, though again there are hedging exceptions. All wno suffer or who have suffered from venereal diseases of any kind and epileptics must make known this fact to Hie other contracting part}', and a doctor's instruction is provided for both. Thn marriage ceremony must Iw a civil act, karimr those who wish to seek the blessing of . tlio Church as they desire.

y Husband and Wife Equal; As the woman is on the same political and municipal level as the man, so the wife is equal to the husband in authority iu the family. The husband no longer rules. A wife's submission is a tmng of the past. Husband and wife are both bound to support the family, a is expressly emphasised that the housework of the wife is a contribution to the general fund of the family; the wife ha* the right to dispose of money for housekeeping and her own personal requirements. , ~,. •is husband and wife are equal, tne man no longer has Jhe deciding voice in regard to matters that afreet the children. If there are differences, ana husband and wife cannot agree, they may appeal to the sheriff or superior magistrate to decide; though, of course, not many appeals of this kind are expected. Formerly the property each possessed at marriage was held in common (unless it had been'otherwise arranged), but now each controls his or her separate fortune, possessed at the time of the marnago or accumulated subsequently, though when separation follows the marnago the Bill provides that the aggregate fortunes of both the parties shall be equally divided, unless the marriage contracts forbids it.

The New Divorce Regulations, The Bill tackles the question of divorce with boldness and in a modern spirit. If both parties agree to a separation there is nothing to bo said. . Separation can be granted to one party if. the other neglects his (or her) duties, "is addicted to drink, or to other serious vices. Furthermore, separation may be granted, n-hen the intercourse between man and wife has beon destroyed, as it is.not considered justified to uphold suca a marriage by statutory provision. Divoree shall always follow separation within a certain time. If both are willing, the time-limit is one year. When the separation has been ■ cluinusd by the one party, the divorce shall be granted after two years. ' Divorce may also be granted (1; When a man and wife because of mutual discrepancy have lived apart from each other for three years. (2) When one party has deserted for two years. (8) When one of the parties has disappeared for three years. ~,,,- , In the past, when both husband and wife had committed adultery divorce was refused; now divorce is allowed. It is recognised that the double offence has only made the demand for divorce all the stronger. , A penalty of at least two years imprisonment gives the other party the ri-'ht to divorce. Other just claims for divorce are bigamy, venereal infection, attempt against, a partner's life, and mental disease. In regard to the latter there is the proviso that the mental affliction must have lasted . for three years pyior to the demand for the divorce.' „ ~ ~ , , The Bill also provides for the trial ot all matrimonial cases to be held in camera, /'So that scandal and tattle ui.rj be avoided."