THE MARRIAGE LAW. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1501, 21 August 1880, Page 22

THE MARRIAGE LAW. TO THE EDITOR.

Slß,— There can be very little doubt but that our statute law is very far from perfect, and that every now and again it would be desirable to overhaul it, and alter it in some particulars of more or less importance. A case I observe reported in a late number of the Witness as to the marriage of a girl under age induces me to thiok the marriage law is decidedly in want of an alteration aa regards the age at which a woman should be permitted to marry without the consent of her parents. At present it appears the law forbids the solemnisation of a marriage when either party is under the age of 21 years without the consent of the parents, or at least of the father, of suoh of the parties as may be under age. I think it is very questionable whether this law, as far as it fixes the ago at 21 years, is altogether wise and beneficial, and whether the existence of ifc is not likely to do more harm than good. Ido not altogether see why parental coutrol in such a personal matter as marriage should be enforced by law after young people have attained to an age when they can no longer be strictly designated as children, and are several years past the age of puberty. It is generally supposed that women develop earlier than men, and though many a young fellow seems hardly to have fully arrived at man's estate at 21, many girls appear to have arrived at the full si age of womanhood a year or two earlier than that age. It seems somewhat absurd that a bouncing lass of 18 years of age should not be allowed to marry the object of her choice without the permission of pa and raa. It may be said that three years is not very long for young people to wnifc. We have heard, however, that delays are dangerous, and it is not unlikely that such waiting may oft times involve a breaking of the match, and consequent much vexation or grief; and the question still remains, what right we have to torce by law young people of a certain age to wait if they are nob inclined to do so ? That the present law may prove an incitement to the commission of perjury or forgery may be no reason in itself for an alteration of the law, bub it ia a very good reason to require a thorough justification of the law, and the shewing upon what grounds the law is absolutely requisite or greatly desirable. Generally spsakiDg, laws made in restraint of personal liberty should be founded on reasons palpable, and of the soundness of which there cannot be a shadow of doubt. I think it would be an advisable alteration of the present law to allow women to marry without the consent of parents or guardians at the age of 18 years ; as to men it is of less consequence, as it is probably soldom a young man is disposed to enter into t.bo mnvriud state before ho is 21 years of age. — I am, &0,, COLONUS,