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2

Friday, Bth October, 1920. Present: Hon. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Harris, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Poland, Mr. Savage, Mr. Sidey Mr. Stewart, Hon. Mr. Lee. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Sidey, That evidence be taken before the Committee. It was also resolved that the Press be not admitted to the meetings of the Committee, but that the Chairman issue a notice to be published, in the Press. The meeting then adjourned until. Tuesday, the 12th October, 1920, at 10.30 a.m. Notice issued to the Press by the Chairman, Blh October, 1920. Marriage Amendment Bill. —Proceedings not to be public. The Committee on the Marriage Amendment Bill has decided that in view of the evidence already taken, and the full public discussion that has taken place, by means of pamphlets and otherwise, it does not consider it necessary to open up the whole question again. But if any persons specially interested have not yet been heard, or if any points bearing on the Bill have not yet been sufficiently elucidated, the Committee is prepared to hear evidence briefly stated on Tuesday next in the Joint Committee-room, Parliament Buildings, at 10.30 a.m. The proceedings will not be open to the Press. Tuesday, 12th October, 1920. Present: Hon. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Harris, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Poland, Mr. Savage, Mr. Sidey, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Wright, Hon. Mr. Lee. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letters from Rev. Robert Wood, Karori (dated 9th October, 1920), and one from Rev. Archbishop O'Shea and Bishop Cleary (dated 11th October, 1920) were read by the Chairman. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Savage, That after consideration the Committee approve of the notice issued to the Press by the Chairman as being sufficient. The following witnesses attended and gave evidence and were questioned by members, their evidence being taken down in shorthand : Rev. Howard Elliott ; Mr. W. W. Cook, Registrar-General of Marriages. It was also resolved that the Chairman communicate with Archbishop O'Shea, inviting him to send a representative to the next meeting of the Committee should he so desire. The Committee then adjourned until Friday, the 15th instant, at 10.30 a.m. Friday, 15th October, 1920. Present: Hon. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Harris, Mr. Hudson, Right Hon. Mr. Massey, Mr. Poland, Mr. Savage, Mr. Sidey, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Wright, Hon. Mr. Lee. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letters to Archbishop O'Shea and Rev. Robert Wood, a letter from Archbishop O'Shea (dated 14th October, 1920), and an opinion from the Solicitor-General, were read by the Chairman. Rev. Howard Elliott attended and made a statement. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Harris, That the amendments in the Marriage Amendment Bill made by tho Legislative Council as printed in the Bill be agreed to, subject to the striking-out in clause 6, line 31, the words " imprisonment for one year or." Mr. Sidey moved, as an amendment, That tho following subclause be added : " In any prosecution under this section it shall be a good defence if the Court is of opinion that the allegation related exclusively to the doctrines, practice, or discipline of the Church of which the accused person is a member, and was accompanied by an express statement that the accused did not question the validity of the marriage in law." On the question being put, That the above amendment stand part of the Bill, it passed in the negative. On the original motion being put, the Committee divided, and names were taken down as follow : —Ayes, 6 : Hon. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Harris, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Wright, Hon. Mr. Lee. Noes, 4 : Mr. Forbes, Mr. Poland, Mr. Savage, Mr. Sidey. So it was resolved in the affirmative. It was resolved that the minutes of the proceedings and evidence be printed. Resolved, on motion of Hon. Mr. Lee, That the Chairman do report the Bill to the House with amendments. It was unanimously resolved, on motion of Mr. Sidey, That a hearty vote of thanks be passed to the Chairman. The meeting then adjourned. Friday, 22nd October, 1920. Present: Hon. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Harris, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Poland, Mr. Savage, Mr. Sidey, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Wright, Hon. Mr. Lee. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following witnesses attended and gave evidence : Rev. Robert Wood, representing the Presbyterian Assembly ; Rev. Howard Elliott; and Mr. W. W. Cook, Registrar-General.