Story: Anglican Church

Divorce Bill, 1894

Divorce Bill, 1894

The Anglican Church firmly opposed efforts by Richard Seddon's Liberal government to reform the divorce laws. This 1894 cartoon shows William Cowie, the Anglican primate (archbishop), with a cow labelled 'Church Opposition' on a railway track. Heading towards them is a train, driven by Seddon and labelled 'Divorce Amendment Act'. Four years later the Divorce Act passed into law.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: A-313-5-003

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Allan K. Davidson, 'Anglican Church - Church and community', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/cartoon/27676/divorce-bill-1894 (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Allan K. Davidson, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 20 Apr 2018