MAGISTRATE’S ADDRESS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1930, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S ADDRESS

‘ ‘DIStINCTLV M,I SCIiIEVOUS idea."

tUy 'lAlegrapn— I'er I'iuss Association

DUNEDIN, May 2li.

'Hie suggestion ui.a « spcciui Court should be set up to deal wan uui.ius•.io differences was discussed in an outspoken way ,oy Mr d. K. Bartholomew, S.M., at the annual meeting o. tlie Society for the Protection of Women and Children this aibernoon. Mr Bartholomew stated that very often in cases of domestic tioulile reconciliation could he brought about aiiiU ti.uorein.es settled (jotter away front tlie Courts. He had seen that in ,ome quarters a court of domestic relations had been advocated, it would be the special duty of the court to settle domestic differences. On the surface the idea appeared to be attractive, but it did not follow that wfiat would suit London would suit New Zealand,. where people of an entirely different mentality had to be dealt with. He was not at ad in Livour of the idea, and he thought that in some respects it wOutd iie distinctly m isell le voUs. i, When a couple married, said Mr Bartholomew' !l they had to accommodate themselves to each other. As everyone knew, nothing was more resented than’ outsidb' interference. To oriiig people before; such a tribunal, dignified, of course, by the riamie he had mentioned, would not get over .any difliLiitties. A wife ■ might take her husband to such a court in order to! have him given “a good dressing down;” but tlie husband in most eases would make up his mind to give his wife a gOod deal more tlian he took. • If facts were looked in the face it could be easily seen that difficulties could not be smoothed over by a few platitudes or words of advice. The court might work under Mussolini rule, but otherwise it would not be workable. He very much preferred the present method. Difficulties could be met. by using the services of Sister Nora. A tactful and experienced woman was better , able to adjust difficulties than any formal body or court. He might be forgiven if he mentioned that all women were not angels, but mdtters could be discussed confidentially; with s,uch women. When the parties were brought into court the breach was only widened and obstacles . put in. . the way of reconciliation. ~No society would attain any sef’il object by devoting its energies in tlie direction that had 'been advocated.