The Oaths act.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3647, 28 October 1890, Page 3

The Oaths act.

(To tho Editor.) Sir,—l doulnnroe in everything with Sir Georgo Guy, but I am sure that many thojightfnl.and religious men will feel grateful to him for -an Aot to nmend thelaw as to oitlia," introduced by liim last scßsioii. On Friday I applied in the R.M Court at Masterton to make a declaration under that Act. I was surprised at the result on thooißoinla of tho Court. Instead of proceeding with section 3 of the Act of 1890, tho Court comcommenced to entrap mo iuto a declaration whioh would.have mado mo a socedcr from tho Church of England, I norfcclly ngrco with the 39th article of niyChmch" that a man may swoar when tho Magistrate requireth in a case of faith and charity," but what is now required is an altornativo, "every person shall bo entitlod,iiß a right,to make his solemn declaration instead of taking an oath," t__,'jln many cases it occurs to inomoro aud truly loligiouato do this. It saves, at any rate, the i witness or tlio dofendant from having y review the. foundations of Ins ibeolosy as often as he may bvo to appear undo; the llabbit Niiisnnco or similar Acts', The incident of last Friday will have douo good, if it tends to make the Oaths Act of 1890 moro generally known. This letter will, I hope, contributo to thosmno end.—Lam, io, " ■■< • •-J. 0. Andrew,'