Getting Married Cheaply.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 7 January 1916, Page 2

Getting Married Cheaply.

In view of the fact that soldiers wishing to get married quickly before going to the Front or while on short leave, often find the cost of a licence issued by the superintendent registrar somewhat beyond their pockets the following information given by Mr David Caird, of the Liberation Society, is not without interest, says “ Tit Bits.” Mr Caird points out that the usual fees for marriage by licence amount to £2 125., but since October 1914, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have been authorised to remit to soldiers below commissioned rank the 10s stamp duty, so that the fees now legally payable by statute are limited to two guineas. It is quite possible, however for a soldier to get married for nothing by explaining his position, it being within the power of the registration officers to reduce the fee of two guineas and even forego it altogether. The fees apart from the stamp duty, are the means by w hich officers are paid for their services, and the RegistrarGeneral has no authority to require a modification of any charges fixed by statue; but many cases have recently come to Mr Caird’s notice in which the superintendent registrars have acted in the most patriotic and generous spirit, either making no charge at all for a licence, or making the charge of 75., which they would have made if the marriages had been by certificate in normal conditions. Let the circumstances be frankly stated to the superintendent registrar, says Mr Caird, and the difficulties will disappear. No public servant has any desire to make personal profit from fees of which, but for the war, he could have had no reasonable expectation.