THE MARRIAGE BILL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20052, 15 September 1920, Page 8

THE MARRIAGE BILL.

——* [Per Press ’Association.] "WELLINGTON. September 14. The Rev Howard Elliott made the following statement to-night;— • The pronouncements which have’bean made by Archbishop O’Shea and Bishops Cleary and Brodie respecting th e Marriage Act are remarkable in their insanity in avoiding the real point ot issue in tho proposed legislation The prelates named would make it appear that tho aim of the clause referred to is to interfere with the religious hheny ol Roman Catholics and to moke it an offence for members of that denomination to hold or proclaim marrnnm as a sacrament, whercan th e whilst permitting; the fullest legitimate liberty, proposed to make it an offenco to allege either expressly or by implication that any persona lawfully married arc not truly or sufficiently married, or that tho issue of any lawful marriage is illegitimate or born out of true wedlook The Roman Catholic Church has so alleged in tho Pink Catechism and in approved publications. No Ciiurch or person can claim the right do make such an allegation. To do so is a n insufferable infringement of the civil nghts and religious liberty of others The-proposed legislation will vindicate the supremacy of British law, protect tho rights of citizens and guard children against the stigma of being branded illegitimate, and in so doing will have tho hearty support of every hhcrty-loving Britisher. There aro real injustices and a groat wrong which will he corrected by the passing of this legislation, and the threats of the bishops are not likely to affect tho minds of legislators now that tho evidence has convinced one of the- strongest and most representative committees in Parliament of the necessity for such legislation. Neither is it likely that the purpose of the legislation will bo defeated by the introduction of words which would destroy the working of the measure.”