DOMESTIC PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1941, Page 5

DOMESTIC PROBLEMS

OPERATION OF RECONCILIATION ACT.

VALUABLE WORK ACHIEVED,

“After this war is over there will be many young married men returning to civilian life with an entirely changed outlook," stated Mr James Wylie, technical officer to the Justice Department (under the Domestic Reconciliation Act, 1939) in an interview this morning. Mr Wylie is at present visiting Masterton on official business.

Mr Wylie said the Act had been in operation for over 12 months and was passed in an endeavour to effect reconciliation between husband and wife where they were applying for separation, maintenance and guardianship orders. In the short period in which the Act had been in operation more than half the cases in the Dominion referred to the domestic conciliator did not go before the magistrates. The conciliators were appointed by magistrates and were doing valuable, voluntary work. They often dealt with exceedingly difficult problems. The qualities required for such work included a high sense of citizenship, a knowledge of both men and women, a capacity to make decisions and a large degree of secretiveness. All cases were dealt with in a strictly confidential manner. “Fortunately there is not much evidence of domestic infelicity in ' the Masterton district,” Mr Wylie observed. “Sometimes we find young couples with great love and loyalty for each other lacing grave risks and problems when they are married." be added, referring to problems which would arise in the rehabilitation of soldiers. “Especially is it so today, when, men are leaving for the front. They will need great strength and courage to meet the difficulties arising when men return after the war.”