RETENTION OF NATIONALITY

Chronicle (Levin), 21 September 1946, Page 5

RETENTION OF NATIONALITY

-Press Association

Bv Telearaph—

WELLINGTON, Sept. 20. The riglit of a British wouian, on ntiirriage to a foreigner, to retain her British nationality, and of a foreign wonian on marriage to a British subject to apply for British nationality, is preserved by tlie British Nationality and Statu.s of Aliens (in New Zealand) Amendment Bill which was iiiti'oduced and read a lirst timo in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Hori. W. E. Farrv explained that this (piestion arose during discussions at the recent meeting of Prime Ministers in London and was subsequently eonsider- , ed by oflicials of the various Commonwealtli delegations. The conceiisus of11 opinlon then was that the national status of women should not be affeeted bv an act of marriage. It was therefore agreed that legislation along the following lines would be desirable: — (iij That a British woman on marriage to a foreigner, whether she does or does not acquire liis nationality under the law of his country, shall not lose her British nationality nnless she takcs some overt steps to renonnee it. (b) That a foreign wonian, on mai'riage to a British subject, shall not thereby acquire British nationality, but shall have the right to apply for it and . that, if she applies, the granting or witholding of British nationality shall be within the discretion of the JVlin-istei-j AT r. Parry said the Bill was intonded to give effect to these recommendations in so i'ar as New Zealand was eoneerned.