NE TEMERE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17935, 31 July 1920, Page 5

NE TEMERE.

STARTLING STATEMENTS IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL* (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. July 30. The Statutes Revision Committee reported the Marriage Amendment Bill with minor amendments. Sir F. Bell moved that it be referred back. The reason for doing so was that evidence laid before the committee suggested that one denomination in the country declared publicly by official documents that marriages contracted and performed according to the law of the land were invalid. It was further stated that the parties were required to go through a second form of marriage and that at this second marriage they were described as bachelor and spinster. He said, as a member of the Government, that if this were found to be the practice in New Zealand and that the children of the existing marriage lawfully celebrated were bastardised either directly or by inference it would rest upon the Government to see that the state of things did not continue. He made this statement publicly so that those concerned might come before committee and state their side of the ease. The Bill was referred back.