A.—2,

Commonwealth of Australia being opposed to it on the constitutional ground that it purported to legislate with regard to marriages in Australia, while in other cases it was considered that no further facilities were necessary. 4. Subsequently, however, a revised draft Bill (see page 219 of Cd.5273) was prepared to meet the constitutional objection by providing for its application by Order in Council to any part of His Majesty's Dominions which might pass similar legislation, and as no objection was taken to this Bill by the selr-governing Dominions it was submitted to the ecclesiastical authorities in this country, and also to the Secretary for Scotland, the Chief Secretary for Ireland, and the Secretary of State for India. 5. The subsequent delay which has occurred in passing the Bill has been due chiefly to the fact that certain amendments were found necessary to meet the special circumstances of Scotland and Ireland. These difficulties were not settled till October last; but the Act as now passed meets with the concurrence of all authorities in the United Kingdom who are interested in the matter. 6. I should be glad to be informed of the passing of any legislation which will enable an Order in Council to be issued under the Act declaring that section 1 shall apply to New Zealand. I have, &c, A. BONAR LAW. Governor His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Liverpool, G.C.M.G./M.V.0., &c.

Enclosure. Marriage op British Subjects (Facilities) Act, 1915. Chapter >,(}. An Act to facilitate Marriages between British Subjects resilient in the United Kingdom and British Subjects resident in other Parts of His Majesty's Dominions or in British Protectorates. [19th May, 1915.] Be it enacted by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows : — 1. (I.) Where His Majesty is satisfied that the law in force in any part of His Majesty's Dominions outside the United Kingdom makes due provision for the publication of banns or for the giving of notice in respect of marriages between British subjects intended to be solemnized or contracted in the United Kingdom, and for the recognition of certificates for marriage issued by Superintendent Registrars in England, and of certificates for marriage issued by Registrars, and certificates of proclamation of banns, in Scotland, and of certificates for marriage issued by Registrars in Ireland, as sufficient notice in respect of marriages between British subjects intended to bo solemnized or contracted in that part of His Majesty's Dominions, His Majestymay by Order in Council declare that this section shall apply to that part of his dominions, and in such case— (a.) Where a marriage is intended to be solemnized or contracted in the United Kingdom between a British subject resident in England, Scotland, or Ireland and a British subject resident in that part of His Majesty's Dominions, a certificate of the publication of bans or a certificate of notice of marriage issued in accordance , with such law shall in England have the same effect as a certificate for marriage issued by a Superintendent Registrar, and in Scotland and Ireland have the same effect as a certificate for marriage issued by a Registrar in Scotland and Ireland respectively; and (b.) Where a marriage is intended to be solemnized or contracted in that part of His Majesty's Dominions between a British subject resident in that part and a British subject resident, in England, Scotland, or Ireland, a certificate for marriage may be issued in England by a Superintendent Registrar, or in Scotland or Ireland by a Registrar, in the like manner as if the marriage was to be solemnized or contracted under circumstances requiring the issue of such a certificate, and as if both such British subjects were resident in England, Scotland, or Ireland, as the case may be. (2.) For the purposes of this section the expression " certificate for marriage " in reference to certificates issued in Scotland shall mean a certificate of due publication of notice of intention to marry. (3.) Nothing in this Act shall affect the existing law or practice relating to the proclamation of banns in Scotland or the issue of certificates of such proclamation. 2. His Majesty may by Order in Council extend this Act to any British protectorate, and on the making of any such Order this Act shall, subject to the provisions of the Order, have effect as if the protectorate were part of His Majesty's Dominions. 3. Ihis Act may be cited as the Marriage of British Subjects (Facilities) Act, 1915.

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