We are happy to see that the Government has arrived
at the same conclusion as ourselves as to the publication of the reports of suits for divorce. The Home Secretary stated on Thursday, in answer to Mr. J. Howard, that legislation on such a subject would be very tardy, and he had adopted the speedier mode of ommunicating with the President of the Divorce Division. The matter was now being considered, and he hoped that "the Court would be able to check the daily publication of offensive reports without impairing the advantage of a public adminis- tration of justice." That is, we are convinced, the true road to reform. To hear all cases in camera would be too dangerous to social morals ; but if evidence is only published when the decision is given, it must be published on one day, and therefore in a curtailed form. It may be offensive even then, but the atmo- sphere of society will not be heated for weeks by daily publica- tions of indecent details. The world cannot be remade,but it is quite possible to reduce some of its evils within more endurable limits; and this particular one needs reduction.
Previous page
