Our Divorce Laws
Our Divorce Laws is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle published in The Daily Chronicle on 27 april 1914.
Our Divorce Laws
REFORMS URGENTLY NEEDED.
To the Editor Daily Chronicle.
Sir, — The House of Commons recently had its first opportunity, since the report of the Royal Commission on Divorce was issued, of discussing the question of the divorce law. The subject is of pressing public importance, for it affects all classes of society, and the supporters of the reform movement, who include many eminent men and women in public life, attached the utmost value to the debate which was fore shadowed in Parliament. Unfortunately a blocking motion has so far prevented discussion. Meanwhile thousands of persons who suffer under the anomalies of our divorce law are waiting for the urgent reforms recommended by the majority report of the Commission.
It is not individuals alone who are affected. It was the deliberate conviction of the majority of the Commissioners that "so far from such reforms as we recommend tending to lower the sanctity of the marriage tie, we consider that reform is necessary in the interests of morality, as well as in the interests of justice, and in the general interests of society and the State."
The Divorce Law Reform Union, which has laboured for eight years in advocating those reforms endorsed by the Royal Commission's majority report, is anxious to continue its campaign in support of the reforms recommended.
These reforms are chiefly concerned with:—
- 1. The cost of divorce to the poor.
- 2. Equality of the sexes in divorce.
- 3. Separation.
- 4. Desertion.
- 5. Cruelty.
- 6. Habitual drunkenness.
- 7. Incurable insanity.
- 8. Welfare of the children.
It is intended to hold public meetings and to distribute leaflets and other publications to make known to a wide circle the facts of the present conditions, and the urgent need of reform on these grounds.
The first necessity, however, is increased funds. May we appeal to your readers who have social welfare and a higher ideal of marriage at heart to come forward and assist in bringing the efforts of this union to a successful issue? Contributions are earnestly invited, and should be addressed to the Hon. Mrs Blyth, Hon. Treasurer. Divorce Law Reform Union, 39, St. James's street, Piccadilly, W. Further information as to the work of the union will be gladly supplied to inquirers by the secretary at the same address.
- (signed)
- ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE, President.
- E. S. P. HAYNES, Chairman.
- W. G. RAMSAY-FAIRFAX, Vice-Chairman.
- ETHEL J. BLYTH, Hon. Treasurer.
- MAY L. TIEDEMAN, Hon. Secretary.
- THERESE MUIR MACKENZIE,
- JOHN BRUNNER, Bart.,
- CECIL M. CHAPMAN,
- D. BRYNNOR-JONES,
- Vice-Presidents
April 25, 1914.
