MARRIAGES REFORMS

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 9 November 1917, Page 4

MARRIAGES REFORMS

BRITISH "JILL PROPOSED.

A private meeting was held nt tbc House of Commons ou .Tidy 25 (savs the London 'Daily Telegraph') to discuss a Bill which has been framed for tho purpose of reforming the marriage law, and to consider the best means of stimulating parliamentary action and public interest In the subject. Sir A. Conan Doyle presided, and those present included Lord Burnhani. Lord Glenconner, Sir J. Brum.or, ~i.LV., Sir George Greenwood, M.P.. Coninwrder "Wedgwood, M.P., and Mi- A. Fell, M.P. It was decided to promote the passage through Parliament, of" the following Bid1. This Act nny be cited as the Matrimonial Causes Act, 1917. 2. From and after the passing uf tins Act all decrees for a judicial separation and all orders for a separation by any court of summary jurisdiction shall, after a period of three years from tfat; dato thereof, have cho same offset and force as a- decree absolute for dissolution of marriage, provided always that either fchf husband or wife so separated shall make application therefor to .he court which has made the decree or order in question, and satisfy the said court that cohabitation has not oeen resumed during the said period of three years. 3. It shall also be lawful for any husband or wife to present a petition to'ths High Court of Justice praying that his or her marriage may be dissolved ou the ground that they ha\e been continuously •eparatcd" for the said period of)three years, whetber by mutual agreement or for any other reason. "•

S»r A. Conan Doyle emphasised the necessity of the reform advocated in the Bill, remarking that tho reconslruction of our population was more important even thin industrial reconstruction. He pointed out that the number of people who were separated and living apart might reach a million at the present time. Those who were legally separated were fewer, hut the Bill was drafted to meet the larger number. During the., discussion emphasis v:as laid upon tho importance of the thiid clause, which, it was stated, had been inserted in order to secure a real measure of reconstruction.

A latter was rend from Mr M'jKeima supporting the Bill, which will be pressed upon tlio attention of the Government with a view to its becoming law before tho end of the war. In the meantime it is intended to arouse public interest in tho Subject : by holding nieetiugs throughout tho country.