Fairly Feminine.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 16, 23 June 1911, Page 10

Fairly Feminine.

Marriage a Civil Contract. A London Magistrate (Mr. Cecil Chapman) has written "Marriage and Divorce," and sets forth his object th "i : have endeavoured to emphasise the fact that however sacred its character, Marriage is a Civil Ckmtract, and to show that as such it cannot be maintained at a high level of excel, lence without the liberty to break it when its purpose has been ignored or rendered impossible of fulfilment. 1 hope, also, to have shown that divorce is not an evil of itself, but an index of evils which it is calculated to remove; that the increased tendency to seek divorce is not primarily due to the growth of immorality, but rather to a living aspiration after a higher standard both of morality and happiness in marriage. Increased facility for divorce is a means of promoting regard for marriage obligations, but it leaves the injured party entirely free to accept or reject it, having regard to the interests of the children and general morality. Some readers may be offended by the fault which I find with ecclesiastical tradition, and many will remain unaffected by my arguments, but I hope that none will misunderstand my aim."