THE MARRIAGE LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1920, Page 5

THE MARRIAGE LAWS.

ARE DISCUSSIONS PERMISSIBLE? By Telegraph.—Press Association. AVellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Dr. 11. T. Thacker (Christchurch East) askejl the Premier if he did not consider that the meetings now being held throughout the country in connection with, the Marriage Act Amendment Bill was a hreach of privilege of the House, seeing that the Bill was before a select committee of the House. Mr. Massey said he knew nothing of the meetings referred to, but all matters of privilege were dealt with by Mr. Speaker. He advised the hon. gentleman to address his question to the Speaker. On Mr. Speaker being appealed to, he said that when a believed the privileges of the House had been invaded it was his duty to bring the matter before the House, and the House would decide whether a breach -was committed, end, if so, what steps it would take. Dr. Thaeker did not pursue the matter : further. Wellington, Oct. C. At a meeting of .the standing committee of the diocese of Wellington the following resolution was passed; While fully acknowledging the competence of the State to frame its own code for a legally valid | marriage, yet, inasmuch as the proposed amendment 6f the Marriage Act appears as at present worded to make it penal for any religious society to set before its own members the ideal of marriage contained in the gospel, this meeting respectfully begs Parliament not to impose this restriction of religious liberty. 7-