In the House of Lords on Tuesday Lord Buckmast,er carried
the Second Reading of his Matrimonial Causes Bill. The Bill provides that marriage may be dissolved on the ground of desertion for three years, cruelty, drunkenness, insanity, or imprisonment under a com- muted death sentence. He explained that the Bill was for the most part a reproduction of the measure which passed the Lords by a majority of 47 four years ago. He had great hopes that this time the Bill would not only be passed by the Lords, but would gain entrance to the House of Commons. It was intolerable that it should be made impossible to give effect to the recommendations of the majority of the Royal Commission. He only asked for fair treatment. If the House of Commons returned the Bill mutilated, he would not prolong the controversy. Lord Daryngton moved the rejection of the Bill, and was supported by a large attendance of Bishops.
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