BIRTH REGISTRATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19743, 16 September 1927, Page 13

BIRTH REGISTRATION.

WORDING OF CERTIFJCATE.

THE LAW TO BE AMENDED. PROMISE MADE IN HOUSE. [BY TELEGRAPH,— SPECIAL REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. A promise that the Births and Deaths Registration Act would be amended so as to avoid the present necessity of indicating on the birth certificates of illegitimate children the fact that they were born out of wedlock was made in the House to-day by Sir Maui Pomare, actingMinister of Internal Affairs. Attention to the requirement of the existing Act was drawn by Mr. J. A. Nash (Palmerston North), who quoted the remarks of the magistrate in Gisborne when he had before him a birth certificate which was branded "illegitimate." The Minister said as soon as he saw the report he had inquiries made, and he had been informed that the law required that the certificates should be so marked. He did not agree with this, and he promised that the Act would be amended. The Minister did not give any indication, however, whether the Act would be amended this session. The announcement was received with a chorus of approval from all sides of the House. Scathing comment on a section of the Births Registration Act was passed by Mr. E. C. Lewey, S.M., in Gisborne, when a birth certificate of an illegitimate child was submitted during the hearing of a maintenance action. It is a most improper and shocking thing that the certificate should have the word 'illegitimate' written across it," said Mr. Lewey. "Why should the child be branded for life ? One would think we were living in the dark ages. If that is a provision cf the Act, it is high time it was amended."

Under the law there are two birth certificates available In the case of one fuller details are required, including the word "illegitimate," when a child is illegitimate. This registration form is used for purposes of adoption and is the only kind acceptable to a magistrate.