THE MARRIAGE LAWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1029, 21 November 1912, Page 4

THE MARRIAGE LAWS.

DIVORCES IN AUSTRALIA. In the report of a sub-committee on re-marrlage of divorced persons submitted to the Australian Presbyterian General Assembly in Melbourne last week it was stated that it was undesirable and dangerous to the public welfare that divorce on the ground of desertion should be too easily obtained, and it was the opinion of the committee that the law in Victoria and New South Wales would be better if it were strengthened, so as to make sure that the desertion was indeed irremediable, before granting a divorce. The Assembly, it was urged, should instruct its ministers to refuse to remarry divorced persons, unless the divorce was granted for adultery or desertion. Regarding the question of marriage with a deceased wife’s sister, the committee held that the question should be referred to the PanPresbyterian Council, to be held in Aberdeen next year.

Dr. Harper (N.S.W.), in moving the adoption of the report,

said it was a remarkable thing that it anyone could be found to marry a man to his sister, daughter, or grand-daughter it would be valid under the law of Victoria, and the children would be legitimate. Such marriage was only voidable if an appeal were made by one of the parties during his or her lifetime. That showed that the State laws could not be followed by the Church. If they agree to marriage with a deceased wife’s sister it would add a new torment to the life of every woman in that her husband might become too fond of her sister.

The Rev A. J. Wade (S.A.) moved an amendment providing for the omission from the Church’s confession of faith of the words, “The man may not marry any ot his wife’s kindred nearer in blood than he may ot his own ; nor the woman of her husband’s kindred nearer in blood than her own,” and declare that a marriage between a man and the sister of his deceased wife should not be visited by any ecclesiastical censure or disability either upon the minister celebrating it or the parties contracting it. The amendment was carried.