Family Inheritance Many will probably sympathise with the Attorney-General's definition
of the attitude of the Government to the Inheritance (Family Provisions) Bill—as one of " strict non-intervention." The object of the Bill, which received a second reading last Friday, is to prevent a man or woman from completely dis- inheriting a spouse or children, by providing that in such an event the spouse or child shall have the right to appeal to the Court, which may make such provisions as it considers suit- able and just. There are various financial responsibilities legally enforceable on a married person towards a spouse and dependants, and it is reasonable that death should not bring such responsibilities completely to an end. The question undoubtedly provokes a conflict between ideals of personal liberty of action on the one hand—the right to do with one's own as one likes—and ideals of justice and humanity on the other. But where the former have been subordinated in life, death should not be allowed to reverse the position. Most civilised countries have, in fact, accepted and acted upon that view. With adequate safeguards the Bill should prove of value in preventing much undeserved hardship and unhappiness, and the Government will be well advised to provide facilities for its passage, with due amendment, into law.
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