PROXY MARRIAGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 215, 10 September 1940, Page 5

PROXY MARRIAGES.

FOR A.I.F. SOLDIERS. CONFLICT OF OPINIONS. (By Air.) SYDNEY, Sept. 4. The Queensland Premier, Mr. Forgan Smith, said this week that the Queensland Government would make no idocision on tho proxy marriages for JA.I.F. men until other State Premiers had expressed their views. The military authorities had asked the Queensland Government to make special provision for such marriages. in Sydney is divided on the question, as will be gathered from the following quotations:—

Monsignor Nevin, principal of St. Patrick's College, Manly, said:—"The canon law which obtains everywhere throughout tlio Catholic Church has made provision for the celebration of marriage by proxy. Marriage is essentially a contract, and, just as other contracts may be entered into by proxy, tho church would not object to proxy marriages of members of the Services abroad who wished thus to legitimise their children." Rev. C. L. Oliver, St. Andrew's Cathedral:—"Proxy marriages arc permitted in some cases, but the Church docs not like them. I see no reason why unmarried wives would not want to remain unmarried." Rev. George C'owie, Fullcrton Memorial Presbyterian Church, Crown Street: — "Proxy marriages are ridiculous. I would not perform one. There is no responsibility on either party. Proxy marriages would provide tremendous loopholes for trouble. .Soldiers can legitimise their children when they como back from the war."