MOTHER REFUSED TO MARRY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1930, Page 2

MOTHER REFUSED TO MARRY

ILI.EOIT IMA TE OH ILD

RELIGIOUS INTER FEE ENCK, BLAMED.

PALMERSTON N.. October 15

“One does not like to say anything about religious beliefs, but this is a ease where one would have thought that;'the,giving of the child a name and a home was! 0 f para mount i importance,” stated Mr J. L. St-out, S.M., in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court, when an application• was before him for maintenace for an illegitimate child. . ‘AO A. M. Ongley, counsel for the father of the child, said his,client, a widower, was I not denying paternity. The child, was born, on November 25,. 1028, and had lived in his own home along with the mother. Arrangements were' in ha,nd for a. wedding hut were disturbed ,by religious beliefs. The mother had been persuaded that she had been living in sin, nml if she married him.. sll*. would still be living in sin. -The, result was that she had left him. and now refused to- marry him. . The Mpgi&trate: Perhaps the best thing would \be to get the religious body here.arid ask the reason. It is a funny sort of religion which denies the. child a home. ; Mr o"~ ,a v : . The little girl is very dear to- him. The Magistrate: It is rather n peculiar class of religion thet will stand between these two •.persons, Mr Grant, counsel for/ the mother, agreed that the cqse was a most unfortunate one, as both parties were very attached to the child. , The Magistrate ; The child is of paramount importance, and should be given a chance in life. The best way to do that is for there two people to come together. Mr Grant: The parties are quite friendly, but I don’t know if the difficulty can be surmounted. The Magistrate: Is this allegation about religious interference true? vi,. r, k— n t: I think there is something like-that,-' •' m»* 1f- Hffi

ahe xuagistrate: One doesn’t like to say anything about religious beliefs, but this is. a case -where one would have thought that,'the giving of the child a name and a home, was of paramount importance. It is rather a pity. T.f a marriage taken place the child will be given its father’s napie and have a better place in life than if it has to grow up branded illegitimate. Mr Ongley: The mother’s other child will have a home, tco,. The Magistrate: The man is doing his duty in offering the child a home. Mr Grant: This religious conviction has become very firiri. I have endeavoured to do a little by way of persuasion. The Magistrate : Why has it become firm? If the woman had been left alone \ • Mr Ongley: Another week would have made all the difference. The Magistrate: Who is at the bottom of it? i Mr Grant: The mother is anxious to do the best for the child. The Magistrate: Well, all I can say is that I can’t understand a religion that will ■ come between two people and prevent a little child from being given a name and a home. The ease was adjourned for a month ip the hope that a marriage might eventuate.