THE LATEST OF DECEASED WIVES' SISTERS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1371, 8 July 1878, Page 3

THE LATEST OF DECEASED WIVES' SISTERS.

" Correspondence laid before the South Australian Assembly on the marriage with a deceased wife's sister question, shows," the " Register" says, "not only that the attitude of the Homo Government in reference to this subjeot is unchanged, but that there is no likelihood of their adopting a different view from that which has been announced by the present Colonial Secretary, as well aB by Lord Carnarvon. The correspondence in eludes letters from Sir Thomas Chambers to the Colonial Office, enclosing the opinions of counsel as to the validity in England of marriages in South Australia with a deceased wife's sister, and asking the help of the Government in the passing of a short Imperial Act for removing the disabilities under which tho offspring of such marriages are now placed. The replies sent, were unfavorable, the Government declining either to interpret the existing law or to sanction an alteration of it if the latter is really required. These communications were made nearly three years ago. A despatch from Sir M. Hicks-Beach, dated February 6th, 1876, addressed to the Governor in reply to the addresses forwarded by both branches of the South Australian Legislature last year, takes exactly similar ground, and holds out no hope of a change of policy. ' The English law upon this subject,' says the despatch, ' could not be changed except by an Act or the Imperial Parliament; and her Majesty's Government, so long as those marriages continue to be illegal in England, have no intention of proposing to Parliament such a measure.' With the Government in direct opposition it is of course vain to expect to pass a Bill dealing with the question, and hence the unsuccessful issue of the latest attempt to do this is not to be wondered at. We hope our own Parliament will not bo discouraged by the failure of their latest appeal, but tint they will continue to press tho subject upon the Home Government until the simple act of justice for which they ask is done to her Majesty's subjects in this remote part of her dominions."