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Wednesday, August 2, 1972
GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS BILL
E
The Guradianship of Minors Bill 1972, which received its first
and second readings in today's Legislative Council meeting, introduces two
underlying principles relating to the guardianship and custody of, and
maintenance for, minors.
Moving its second reading, the Acting Attorney General, the
Hon. G.R. Sneath, told the Council that one principle was that the mother
would have equal rights with the father regarding the right to be a
guardian or to appoint one.
Another principle, he said, was that the court shall have regard
to the welfare of the minor as the first and paramount consideration in
deciding any question regarding matters of guardianship, custody and
maintenance.
"To safeguard this principle, the bill provides that the courts
are to exercise control in all these matters," he said.
Mr. Sneath said the existing law on this subject was to be
found partly in the common law, partly in an English statute of 1660 and
partly in the Infants Custody Ordinance which was to be repealed.
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