PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 237, 12 November 1909, Page 3

PARLIAMENT.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the Council, the McLean Institute E'U (Hon. Wigram) and Roman Cathu lie Bishop of Auckland Bill (Hon George) were read a third time and The Council adjourned until Wednesday, 21th instant.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Til the House Uiis afternoon the -ollowin" Local Hills were read a third time "and passed:—Wellington Water Supplv Loan Moneys Diversion, WaiEiiri County, New Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Reserve Exchange, Borough of South Dunedin Empowering Amendment, Auckland and Suburban Drainage Amendment, Timaru Borough Loans Consolidation, and Ellesmcrc Domain Board Empowering. On a motion to commit the MARRIAGE ACT AMENDMENT BILL (Steward), providing for marriage between deceased wife's niece and t deceased husband's nephew, Mr. Mil's 1 " opposed the Bill on the ground that it came dangerously near allowing marriage between blood relations, and opened the door to bigamy. The subsection required to be entirely redrafted. 1 Mr. Steward said he would be the last person in the world to sanction the rt'urriage of blood relations. .Mr. Millar said the Bill practically meant validating certain marriages ■which were performed since the passing of the Act of 1896, and which under the existing law were invalid. Mr. Steward said it was contrary to public policy to prevent marriage between persons except on the ground of consanguinity. At present a inan coul-J marry his deceased wife's sister, but not hie deceased wife's sister's daughter. The latter may be most suitable persons. Mr. Millar moved as an amendment that the words "but before the passing of this Act" be inserted between the words "parties" and "lawfully" in subsection 2. _ The amendment was carried by 38 to 17. On the motion that the Bill be set down for consideration next sitting day. Mr. Arnold moved that the Bill be recommitted with a view to reconsidering the amendment to clause 2, which was agreed to by 31 to 26. On going into committee again, Mr. Steward moved that Mr. Millar's amendment be struck out. On tbe motion 'being put it wa6 lost by 38 to 13. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. EVENING SITTING.

Tn the evening the Marriage Act Amendment Bill was reported with amendments.

The House went into committee en the New Zealand Society of Musicians Ei'.!.