PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14055, 12 November 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

i'er I're.ss Association

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. Jhe Council met at 2.30 i> m BILLS PASSED. The .McLean Institute Bill (Mr AVi"ram) ami Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland Bill (Mr George) w.-re read a third time and passed. The Council then adjourned until Wednesday, 24th insfc. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m LOCAL BILLS PASSED.. Uie following local bills were read a third time and passed—Wellington Water Supply Loan Moneys Diversion. Waimari County, New Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Reserve Exchange, Borough of South Dunedin Empowering Amendment, Auckland and Suburban Drainage Amendment, Timarif Borough Loans Consolidation, and Ellesmere Domain Board Empowering. MARRIAGE OPPOSED. On the motion to commit the Marriage Act Amendment Bill (Sir W. J. Steward) providing for marriage between a deceased wife's niece and deceased husband's nephew, the Hon. W. Millar opposed the Bill on the ground, that it came dangerously near allowing marriage between blood relations and opened the door to bigamy. He said that sub-section 2 required to be entirely redrafted.

Sir W. J. Steward said that he was the last person in the world to sanction blood relations.

Mr Millar said the Bill practically .meant validating certain inarriages which had been performed since the passing of the- Act of 189G, and w;bich under the existing law were invalid. Sir V. J. Steward said „that it was contrary to public policy to prevent marriage between persons .except on the ground of consangaimity. At present a mail could marry his deceased vtfVs sister! but • not his deceased wife's sister's daughter, though me latter mav be a most suitable person. .Mr Miliar moved as sill amendment that words "but before the passing of this Act" be inserted between the words "parties" and "lawfully" "' subsection 2. , The amendment was carried by J» votes to 17 votes. On the motion that the Bdl teftt down for consideration at next sitting dav, Mr Arnold moved that the Bill lie" recommitted with a view to reconsidering an amendment to C ' !Ul *" - which was agreed to by 31 to 26. On going into committee airam £ir "\V. J. Steward moved that Mr Millar's amendment bo struck out. On the motion being put it was lost bv 3S to 13. "The House rose, at 5.30 p.m. In the House the Hill was report"l with amendments. MUSICAL. The House went into committee on the Musical Bill. Progress was reported. NATIVE LAND LAWS. A Hill to consolidate and amend the native land laws was received by message from the Governor and read a first time.

MUTUAL TN.SUH.VNf'K. ]\lr Dive moved the second readin» or the "Mutual Kire Insurance Amendment. Hill. - Carried on the voices. The House rose at 12.40 a.m.