MARRIAGE AND. MILITARY SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2747, 15 April 1916, Page 12

MARRIAGE AND. MILITARY SERVICE.

Sir,—Still that i weary cry about shortages in iho infantry. Well, why not give the following _ a trial Every day we see in the daihea where some shirker is evading his military obligations through marriage. Now we know from experience ili.it it is useless to- appeal to their female part, ners, for one who marries a' shirker has, to my thinking, forfeited all claim to respect, from any class of the community. Therefore, let us get at thorn through the parsons spr Registrar. Now the parson who performs these ceremonies has three tilings to think of —his God, conscience,' and tho dirty gold the shirker pays him. Yet. when "wo read of so many of these marriages It makes one think that the gold_ plays the most important part. Now, in thp past tho parsons of this country have had a good deal to say as to what tho public should do, and shouldn't do. so I think it is just about time that Parliament and the.genuine public had a little to say as to wliat the.y' should do. If "this was a matter of early closing of hotels? or the censoring of some harmless picture, they would he at it hammer, and tongs, but when it is a matter of vital importance to tho British Empire, and themselves, they appear to be loath to move in the matter: Of course, these gentlemen have a legitimate excuse by saving: Ho w _ are we to know who's who? But I am just going to point out the remedy. Let some of these brainy M.P.'s of ours — those men who stand on street corners, at election time, and offer miblio a free pass to heaven if they will only put them ,i'n power; let these pass an Act, where'no'man of military age can marry without first producing a certificate stating he is unfit for military service, or that lie is, and has enlisted. The latter I don't hold much with, for lie is only throwing another burden on to the State, where., if there were not so many of these war brides as there are, the single ones in, and those eoing into camp, would" stand a better chance of rettint a little more added to their all-too-little' pay at present, for the great job are undertaking, Of .course, if they nass that Act. they must also amend the law to with any who try to break through it. 1 should suggest the punishment for this offence woutd he nothing ,' less than three years' hard, which would give them ample time to consider whether it was better to serve King George and the British Empire, or the Kaiser, which they are undoubtedly doing by performing _these marriages, and assisting the shirker. No doubt some will say there is no necessity for such strong measures; if so. all I can say is to stoo crying out -about the shortaces, and nrocepd along in the old humdrum fashion. —I am, etc.. FAIR PLAY. Feilding, Anril 7, 1910. [Respecting the point raised by "Fair Play" suggesting an, alteration to the Marriage Act to compel the clergy to refuse to marry men of military age and capacity, it might be just, as well to state here that a clergyman lias the right now- to .refuso to marry in certain circumstances,' and he exercises that power, for instance, when ho suspects a contracting party to be a minor. A minister who was consulted on the point said he did not think it would he his duty to refuse to marry a man who was eligible for service. If he did refuse, the parties could go to the, Registrar -of Marriages, who has, not the power to refuse to marry people of tho right age, and an alteration of the Act . ivould be necessary to give him such power. In any case, if the services of the class of-man referred to are required, it is the duty of the Government to call them up.'l