CHEATING DIVORCE LAW

Evening Star, Issue 22441, 11 September 1936, Page 12

CHEATING DIVORCE LAW

NON-EXISTENT “ OTHER WOMEN" Judicial and other authorities in Britain arc viewing with some concern the growth in “ arranged ” divorces as a result of the semi-secrecy surrounding divorce proceedings. This secrecy has frequently been denounced as “ prejudicial to public interests ” by Lord Merrivale, late president of the Divorce Division, and other eminent judges. , Lofd Merrivale maintained that mystery and secrecy in divorce proceedings were the cause of the great increase in, broken homes. The trouble is that very often the “other woman” is described as “ unknown,” and it is feared that, in some cases, she may not even exist. Dealing with this point, Lord Merrivale has said: “Alleged misconduct with an unknown woman by a husband, unless th? personality of the unknown woman is proved by facts other than the entry, Mr and Mrs, in the hotel register, is not sufficient evidence for divorce.” ■ ' Such cases used to be known as “ carpet bag,” or week-end divorces. They were looked upon as ■“ arranged,” and were regarded suspiciously by the judges. Later, however, judicial authorities laid it down that, the' presence of. the unknown at the, particular time and place alleged need not be definitely established., And that ruling obtains to-day; As a. result, there has been a number of collusive, or “ arranged,” divorces. ■ •

In this connection Lord Blanesburgh, in a recent ■ case, stated in the House of Lords: So long as divorce, in contrast with marriage, is not permitted to. be a matter of agreement between the parties, tlie public are directly interested in' divorce proceedings, affecting as they do the entire social structure and preservation of a wholesome family life throughout the community.” In another case Mr Justice Bucknill remarked:-“It is a matter of public interest that a decree for dissolution of marriage should not bo obtained on evidence which ■ has been manufactured so as to indicate misconduct where'none has taken place.”