MARRIAGE AMENDMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18053, 29 September 1920, Page 6

MARRIAGE AMENDMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I surprised to read tie remarks of the Rev. Gray Dixon in regard to the Government and the marriage law. It •is quite evident that he and others do not realise, the truo position or they would not make such statements. The- Government has no intention of weakening or interfering with church marriages*-when so desired, but when mixed marriages between Roman Catholics and Protestants arc contracted before a registrar (as thought best by mutual arrange-' ment) aro those not as sacred in God's sight as if by the •church? Tl>ey very often arc, and would continue to be, ha-pjiy and bo adjusted by themselves, until the- Roman Catholio Church by coercion and interference demands that all the children bv such marriage be brought up in that religion and. that another marriage- must be arranged or the children will bo banned as illegitimate. Does tho orthodoxy of the church take precedence to God, the welfare and happiness and sacrednees of the marriago tie? Certainly' not. Therefore the Government has dono only its duty and deserves the thanks of the people in trying to prevent separation and divorce and unbappincss, as the Council of Churches and tho representatives of the Presbyterian Church realise. Evidently ignorance of tho facts must account for the ] Rev Gray. Dixon's views. -The Protectant toachcre have erred gravely in the past in not enlightening thcix young people' as to tho consequences of such unions, which might havo prevented the necessity of law revision —I am. etc, Fob Bmsteotsness.