THE MARRIAGE BILL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 304, 17 September 1920, Page 7

THE MARRIAGE BILL

FURTHER MENTION- IN THE HOUSE. The Marriage Amendment Bill was mentioned again in the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr.' R, M'Callum (Wairua) suggesting that the new clause added by tbte Legislative Council should be referred to the Statutes Revision Committee of the House. The suggestion was really a reply to Mr. Wilford, who had told the House that the Statutes Revision Committee, consisting of lawyers, was not the best body to consider the clause. Mr. M'Callum assured the House that the committee he had mentioned would bo able to do full justice to the clause. Lawyers were accustomed to watching the interests of all classes of the community. He added a suggestion that the Speaker should rule'as to whether or not the clauso could properlv bo incorporat-. Ed in the Bill at all. The clause dealt with crime, and the Bill Telated to marriage law. The new crime of impugning the validity of a. lawful marriage might require to t» placed in the Crimes Act.

Tim Prime Minister replied that bis attention had not been drawn previously to Mr. M Callum's second point, which would be for the Speaker, to consider. Ho would not decide regarding tho proposal to refer the clauso to a committee until he had consulted the Minister of Justice. When h* had reached a decision he would inform the House.