MARRIAGE OF MINORS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5079, 24 January 1927, Page 2

MARRIAGE OF MINORS.

OPERATIONS OF NEW LAW. ..

PARENTS GIVEN EQUAL STATUS.

By section 8 of t,he Guardianship Of Infants Act, 1926, whiefi came into force on January 1, a very important alteration is made in the law as to consent to the marriage of a minor /infant). Prior to January 1 the only person haivng authority to give consent to the marriage of a minor was the father, if resident in New Zealand. The minor had no say in the ■matter at all. Now the mother has equal status with the father, and if either parent should object to a marriage, the minor must appeal to the Court. The following general summary sets out the position fully:— (1) Where both parents are living: (a) If parents living together, both parents ; (b) if divorced or separated, the par’fent, to whom custody of the infant is committed! (c) if one parent deserted, the parent Who: has been deserted ; (d) if both parents deprived of custody by the. Court, the person to whose custody the infant is committed. (2 Where one parent is dead: (a) If there is no other guardian, the surviving parent,; (b) if a guardian has been appointed by the deceased parent, the surviving parent and guardian, if acting jointly. (3) Where both parents are dead, the guardians or guardian appointed by deceased parents or the Court. (4) Where the child is illegitimate: (a) The person to whom the custody has been given ; (b) if the. mother is dead, the guardian appointed by the mother. (5) If there is no person in New Zealand having authority to give consent, the. parties must give fourteen days’ notice of intended marriage to the registrar, who will issue the certificate without consent.