VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1921, Page 1

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

[BY TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

SUPREME COURT BENCH

AUCKLAND, Fob. 26

The appointment of Justice Stringer as resident judge of tbe Supreme Court for Auckland district has been confirmed. Justice J. N. Reed is understood to take over Justice Chapman’s circuit, including Gisborne, with headquarters at Wellington. ! BUTTER CONFERENCE. | DUNEDIN, February 20. * As tbe contract with the Imperial Government regarding butter runs out on 31st. March Dr Rea lies’'has asked tbe Dominion Butter Committee to meet him at Wellington on March 10th. to discuss proposals for the immediate '. future. ; SMALL SHOP-KEEPERS. AUCKLAND, Feb. 26. {, A protest from the small shop-keep- ! i eds against tbe recent amendments to , | the Shops and Offices Act regarding | closing, was made to tbe Premier by a deputation representing the Auckland '; Provincial Association. ; l It was urged that this restriction t will fall very heavily on a class of bus- <■ iness folk which could ill afford tbe s loss from this restriction affecting their | income. Tt would ultimately bring > hardship, and was likely to intensify N the unemployment problem. .1 Mr Massov promised that be would J.i have the matter brought before I’arliament, but pointed out that ho could | | not in any way pledge himself as to | the result of the representations made | in tbe House.

DIVORCE MADE EASY. AUCKLAND. Feb. 26. • The fact that, a divorce petitionei need now only prove that, fly mutual consetut, tbe husband and wife have parted, and have been apart for three years is sufficient ground in the discretion of Lite Court, for divorce, was tii c

subject of comment by Justice St linger at tbe Supreme Court to-day.

Mr Dickson drew His Honour’s attention to two cases about to be beard, in which the separation, U v mutual loitseiit was the ground of petitioner Mr Dickson said that, as the proceedings were under tbe Amending Act of 1920, and as there was likely to be a considerable number ol sueli eases, tho members ol tho Bar would be glad to have a. ruling as to what evidence would be considered necessary.

His Honour said that ho proposed following tin- course aidoptod hy Justice Sim who was an authority upon divorce la.'.', namely, to grant decrees nisi, hut to provide that a decree absolute must bo moved, so that any party who desired to oppose it, could have an opportunity of so doing. “This Divorce Act amendment," said His Honour, at, a later stage, certainly seems to have made the obtaining of a divorce an extremely simple matter. Now. apparently ,all that people have .to do is to agree to live separate, and to part for three years. Then, apparently, they can get a divorce.'’ Mr Singer; “There is discretion, it seems to me, your Honour. “Yes, there is discretion. I suppose that moralists would disagree as to whether or not this was legislation which was in the interests of the community. lutt flic Judges have only to administer law as they find it.” MATTHEWS’ SENTENCE. CABINET A (HIKES TO HIS KEEN.\M INATIOX. AUCKLAND, Eel. '-Hi. Hon Mr Lee, Minister of Justice, speaking in reference to the public meting held in Christchurch Just night for the commutation of Reginald Matthews’ death sentence, stated to-day that ho had already brought the case before the Cabinet, which had decided that Matthews should he re-exannned |,v two medical experts. Mr Lee said that he had at once arranged for this being done hy two experts of high repute. A IU)Y DItOWNEI). WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. While bathing at Evans Ray, this morning a, hoy about 12 years of age named Cheeseman, was knocked from the boat through a boom striking him. ■ Owing to a heavy sea it was impossible to rescue the lad and be sank to the bottom in about 50 feet of water. Dragging operations are proceeding.

WASTE ON MI UTAH ISM. LONDON, Eeb. 20. Air Henry Hell, Director of Lloyd’s Bank, who took part in the recent international Financial Conference m Brussels ,states that Europe inevitably must reach a state of bankrupey unless the present warlike expenditure is reduced. Economic rehabilitation is impossible be declares, until this truth lias soaked into the minds of the people. It was acurious paradox that Germany and Austria were being saved tins economic waste. The Allies had vitually said to them- “You must not spend money on war preparations. We will spend it.” .