PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1927, Page 2

PARLIAMENT

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) THE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, Sept. 17. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 yesterday. The Summer Time Bill was received from the House, read the first time and sot down for the second reading next Wednesday.

In the course of the second reading of the -Marriage l Amendment Bill, objection was raised by Hon. Alalcoiln to a proposal that any ten persons belonging to any congregation should be entitled to nominate one of tlieir number to perform marriages. The Bill was cheap one and might bring marriage into contempt. Hon. Isitt saw the danger in a bill which permitted “ any ten scalliwags ” to nominate one of their own number to perform marriages. Other members supported the objections raised.

The Leader of the Council, Sir F. D. Bell, pointed out the precedent was conceded in the case of the Society of Friends and said it was desired to extend it to other bodies in which there were no officiating ministers. The Bill required that, tho body should he x religious body and so satisfy the ATinister of Internal Affairs. provision was exactly the same as in the Alarriage Act. He said he would lie willing to accept an amendment in committee to ensure that nominees were of good character. The second reading was carried by 21 to 8. The Council adjourned at 3.48 p.m. until Tuesday. THE HOUSE. Early in the afternoon the House went into Committee of Supply to further consider the estimates, the following voting being agreed to:—Post and Telegraph, £2.393,027 ; Tourist Department. £76,235; Justice, £130,110; Crown Law Office, £5,904; Prisons, £82,383; Police, £422,113; Alain Highways. £700,000; Public Service Superannuation fund, £7,850. Tho House rose at 11.22 p.m. till 2.30 on Tncsdnv.