NO REGISTRATION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12607, 18 November 1926, Page 7

NO REGISTRATION

FOR MARRIAGES IN RUSSIA PEASANTS DENOUNCE PROPOSAL “LEGALISED POLYGAMY” Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 16. The “Daily Express” correspondent in Moscow says that there is every prospect of a proposal to abolish registration of marriages becoming law, but the proposal, which was made by the Commissar of Justice, precipitated a stormy debate at the session of the Central Executive of Soviet Republics. The strongest opposition came from the delegates representing the peasantry. One declared that it was simply a measure to legalise polygamy. He asked the Government what machinerv it was going to establish to decide when conjugal relations had taken place. There had been 100,000 unregistered marriages last year; what about the illegitimates? Another delegate angrily interjected: “There are no illegitimates in Russia. In order - that the children may be protected, l; 'marriage must merely be a matter-of consent and desire on the ’ part of ■’ two people, nothing more.” M. Krylenko, State Prosecutor, opposed the laxity of the proposed legislation, urging, that in State, polygamy the woman would invariably Settle sufferer.