Statutory Wait Before Marriage Advocated
(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, July 14. Couples in love should be required to register their engagements with the Government and wait six months to marry, the British Bar Association’s general council has recommended. "... If marriages were made more difficult divorce would become less prevalent,” a memorandum from the council to the British Government said. “It Is our view that no licence to many should ever —except in some exceptional cases—be granted until the parties have been engaged for at least six months.” The Government is considering lowering the age for marriage without parental consent from 21 to 18. Mr Bruce Campbell, a barrister and legal authority on divorce, was one of the lawyers who testified before a Government committee on the proposed change in the law. Mr Campbell, married, and the father of six children, suggested that pregnant girls, divorcees, widows and widowers were exceptional cases who should be allowed to wed without the six-month waiting period. Mrs Juanita Frances, chair-
woman of the Married Women’s Association, commented: “There is something to be said for making marriage a greater ritual so that men and women are impressed by the responsibilities they are undertaking. “But I fear the six-month licence might lead to an increase In breach of promise actions—end these are very outdated.”
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Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 2
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218Statutory Wait Before Marriage Advocated Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31112, 15 July 1966, Page 2
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