DIVORCE LAW.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 412, 20 April 1937, Page 2

DIVORCE LAW.

BRITISH REFORM BILL. i ■ . Widening of Grounds. i London, April 9. i Advocates of cosier divorce are ! awaiting with interest ihe appear- ! ance in the House of Common s for j Its final reading of Mr A. P.Herbert’s ; Marriage Reform Bill after the | ©aster recess. j This bill inak & divorce easier to ' obtain, end also provides ways by I . 'hich unhappy couples might be rej penciled before they ever reach the i Divorce Court. ■ Interest in the bill has been quick- | ned by the announcement that a 11ecord number of 1666 divorce peti- | ions now awaits hearing. ’ r l'ne bill would widen the grounds j lor divorce to include deserJon, j cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and inj urable insanity, where now the only J recognised reason for divorce in England is adultery. Committee stage alterations, however, restricted the reforms originally planned by Mr H rbert, by striking out clauses allowing a woman to free herself from a drunkard, or from ' a convicted murderer serving a life I sentence. A bitter flight is expected on a Haus”, inserted in commi itee, ‘Which virtually makes it illegal for a couple to agree between themselves to ge‘j j i divorce. This says that the court j Khali not grant divorce unless both i parties sa’isfy it that there has been I no collusion or condonation. The insertion of the clause was vigorous, ly opposed by the Rev R. W. Sorenson (Labour) during the committee stage. “If a couple found that they detested each other, and they were making life hell for themselves and others, and wished to separate in a respectable way, they would be penalised under this clause,” s aid Mr Sor-nson. Divorce judges have frequently referred to the fact that unhappily mart' : ried couple s have had to prove I adultery by collusion.