NE TEMERE BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1925, Page 2

NE TEMERE BILL

AUSTRALIAN ANI) N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION SYDNEY, March 24. *“ \ special session of Parliament for lit** passage ol Xe Teluere Marriage Bill was opened by a Commission in tin* absence of the Governor. The Labour Leader, Mr Lang, decided not to move any motion of eonsure. as the Labour Party had first intended.

There were now protests by certain Anglican Bishops against the Ne Te mere Bill. They are' putting a different aspect on the measure, so. far as it affects the election possibilities. If the protests its to tlie Bill had been confined to the Roman Catholic* section of the community, Mr Lang would have moved liis motion, jmt he believes now that if the Bill is again rejected hv the Legislative Council, the swing over of Protestant votes at the elections will Ik* the reverse of what the Government has anticipated, and that, in addition, Labour will have the advantage of a block vote from all adherents of the Roman Catholic Church.

STANDING ORDERS SUSPENDED. SYDNEY, March 25. Tn tlie Assembly, there was a crowded house and galleries when Mr Ley moved a motion to suspend the Standing Orders to enable the Bill to amend the marriage law to he passed at one sitting. He stated the Bill was designed to counter the Ne Teniere Decree, and make it an offence for any one to impugn the marriage tic* or question the legitimacy of the children of parents married according to the law. There was no dissent to the motion, but Mr Lang asked if the Government was prepared to accept an amendment* to the vital clause, stating that La bom was just as anxious to prevent the impugning of the marriage tie as the Government was.

Mr Ley replied that Mr Lang would have an opportunity of moving all amendment at tho proper time. Mr Ley then proceeded to move tho second reading of the hill. He dealt with the protests received from certain Anglican Bishops, and while doing so ho was subject to much interruption. Mr Ley said lie had received a deputation representing the Church of England League Council approving of the Bill as it stood, and stating the Bishops’ protests diil not reflect the feeling of the Anglican Church. .Mr Ley added, amid great disorder, the Bill was not a product of fanatics, hut was merely designed to prevent Hie destruction of tin* homes of people by persons authorised by law to conduct