WOMEN MARRIED TO ALIENS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 39, 9 November 1918, Page 6

WOMEN MARRIED TO ALIENS

EIUHT TO RETAIN BRITISH NATIONALITY.

Sir Georgf Cave (Home Secretary) gave a sympathetic reception recently to a deputatioD representing a large number of women's associations, who .urged upon him tiie desirability of amending the law so as to give women the right to retain their British nationality on marriage with an alien. The deputation ur"ed that there was uo more reason why a women should be forced .to-change her nationality on marriage than a _ man. should be forced to change hie nationality on mnrriage. 'Sir George Cave said lie was glad an opportunity had arisen to discuss this important;'subject. .The position was this: The Imperial Conference met a few weeks ago and appointed, n small committee to give a preliminary _ consideration ti matters affecting nationality which seemed to require special attention. He, brought this question before the conference as one of the important matters requiring attention. He proposed to take steps for the appointment: of some committees, reprosenting all parts of the Empire, to consider and deal with these and other ojiestions, unci he hoped the name of a woinaii representative would bo given who would b'o willing to join the committee. It was open to doubt whether, an alien's wife—perhaps an enemy alien— should have all the war-time privileges of a British subject, as wives and hitsbands frequently influenced each other, and h; could imagine the difficulties by a British wife being allowed to move about freely, and that point needed serious consideration. He would report the. views of llio deputation to Ins colleagues of the Imperial Conference, who, he was sure, would give the views expressed their careful consideration.