Debating Society

"That the New Zealand divorce laws are a menace to marital peace" was a subject which drew some hundred students to the Gymnasium haunts on August 3. Speakers were at a disadvantage due to the unfortunate framing of the motion, but nothing prompted Mr. Eicbelbaum to say other than that the Society had not lost its gift for humour. He placed, the speakers—Frank O'Flynn, Dick Collins, Kevin O'Brien, Gurth Higgin, Frank Coleman.

"Marital peace is non-existent," said Mr. Taylor, affirming that the unhappy are often forced to live together for several years.

"Often couples cannot have a divorce because proof of reasons is a pre-requisite, particularly for adultery. We must tackle this problem responsibly," said Mr. Higgin, and he proceeded to elucidate the reasons—infringement of the marriage arrangement and restitution of conjugal tights.

"Both valuable and desirable, it holds together the bulk of the bourgeois society," quoth Keith Matthews. He spoke with some conviction. "The fee is not unreasonable—forty guineas!"

Said Frank Coleman; "These legal cases don't get down to the true spirit of the thing." The most common causes of this frequent, ailment he listed' as childhood complexes, mothers-in-law, halitosis and dandruff.

Sentiments from the floor were diverse and not entirely impersonal.

Harold Grettin (aff.): When you buy a bull you want to know how it will perform. Now Mr. Higgin, for example..."

'Mr. Chairman—I am not a bull!"

"With many people, the end of the first fine rapture is the end of the marriage," said Mr. Collins. "Finance is a prominent cause."

Mr. Battersby's argument was consistent and rational—but it is too long to print here.

Speaking to the negative, Mr. O'Flynn said: "Divorce laws do not enhance the dignity of the law, and they menace marital peace." His arguments were necessarily strictly legal and as the centre of the debate happened to be the pinion of his gyrations, his inherent eloquence carried him to the first placing of the evening.

"There is need," said Kevin O'Brien, "for a form of pre-marital education on the laws of the marriage contract."

Other remarks were:

"The only people who benefit are the lawyers." — Maurice Casey. "There is a great deal to be said for trial marriage."—Gilbert Johnstone. And in answer to a Query: "I don't know—I'm too young." — Nigel Sievwright.

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