Marriage-à-la-New Zealand
The proposed amendments to the Divorce Law, 1894
New Zealand Observer and Free Lance, The proposed amendments to the Divorce Law, 1894, New Zealand Cartoon Archive, Alexander Turnbull Library, Reference: H-713-123
The proposed amendments to the Divorce Law, 1894
The Divorce Act of 1898 reformed the laws surrounding the dissolution of marriage in New Zealand. For the first time, the grounds for divorce were made virtually equal for men and women.
Before this reform, adultery alone was considered insignificant grounds for a woman to initiate divorce proceedings. Proof of cruelty and desertion were also required. Men had somewhat easier criteria – neglect of household duties was sufficient reason for a husband to divorce his wife.
Read this account of a wife's petition for divorce on the grounds of adultery, from The Wanganui Herald, 1903.
The case of Colley vs Colley – Papers Past website
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