MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1929, Page 9

MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT

DISCUSSION IN UPPER HOUSE. OTHER MEANS CONSIDERED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Land Laws Amendment Bill was read a second, time pro forma in the Legislative Council to-day and referred to tho Lands Committee. Speaking on the third reading of the Marriage Amendment Bill, permitting marriage with a deceased wife’s niece or a deceased husband’s nephew, Sir Francis Bell entered a protest, as he said it would create illegitimates in other parts of the Empire under tho New Zealand law. He contended there should be uniformity in the marriage laws throughout the Empire. The Hon, J. Barr contested the argument, declaring New Zealand was a separate entity and should not wait till Great Britin took action to rectify a wrong in tho law. Tho Hon. W. Earnshaw moved that tho Bill be read a third time three months hence, but this was lost by 22 votes to 12. The Bill was then passed without amendment. Speaking on the second reading of the Education Amendment Bill introduced by t Hon. G. M. Thomson with the object of initiating a system of religio .s instruction in the public schools, the Hon, L. M. Isitt submitted it was the duty of the State to see the whole development of the child was catered for in the schools. ' Both moral and ethical teaching should be given, and he was not satisfied that was being done. He accepted the Bill on the principle that half a loaf was better than no bread, but he insisted that if it proved unsuccessful parents should have tho right to express their further opinion concerning it at a fixed date. Tho debate was adjourned and the Council rose at 4.16 p.m. until Wednesday.