WAR MARRIAGES

Evening Star, Issue 23375, 19 September 1939, Page 8

WAR MARRIAGES

MANY LICENSES ISSUED , SEPTEMBER PROMISES TO SET RECORD DIRECT EFFECT OF HOSTILITIES War has had the effect of hastening marriages throughout .'New; 1 ; Zealand, and in Dunedin it looks as; if- returns for the month of September will constitute a record. Up till to-day 71 licenses have been issued through the office of the registrar of births, deaths, and marriages, which represents an 'increase of 32 on the figures for the corresponding period in September bf last' year. For the whole of last September 67 licenses were issued, so that for only 18 days this September’s . returns are four up. ■ The formation of a voluntary, brigade for overseas or home service,. and the mobilisation of the various defence units are the causes primarily responsible- for '■ the activity. The rush of work has made the registrar’s office extremely busy, although the actual* number of ceremonies performed, in that bffice have barely shown a proportionate-increase. Most of the bridegrooms are men actually serving, or who ■_ have volunteered for service when" necessary, ’and their desire to hear : wedding bells concurred with the outbreak of hostilities. Many inquiries were being received to-day as, to the procedure necessary to obtain licenses, and it is quite evident that the marriage activity will be continued- for some' little time to come.

Two years, ago, in 1937, September marriages reached the high total of 73, and that was thought to be a record for the month over a long period of years. It is patent that September, 1939, will surge well ahead of that figure. '■ - ■ ■ ; -■ - •