PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2657, 12 November 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

BILLS PASSED

[Pint Pkkhs Association.! WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. In the Council this afternoon the McLean Institute Bill (.Hon. H. F. Wi,rrain) and the Roman Cathode Bishop of Auckland Bill (Hon. S. T. George) were read a third time and passed, and the Council adjourned until (Wednesday, the 24th i'nst.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THIRD READINGS

In thji House this afternoon the following local Bills were read a third time and passed: Wellington WaterSupply Loan Moneys Diversion, Waimari ‘County, New Plymouth Recreation and Racecourse Reserve Exchange, Borough of South Dunedin Empowering Amendment, Auckland and Suburban" Drainage Amendment, Timaru Borough Loans Consolidation, and Ellesmere Domain Board Empowering. MARRIAGE ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

On the motion to commit the Marriage Act Amendment mill (Sir W. JSteward), providing for the legalisation of a marriage between a deceased wife’s niece and deceased husband’s nephew, the Hon. J. A. Millar opposed the Bill, on the ground that it came dangerously near allowing a marriage betweenblood relations, and opened the door to bigamy. Subsection 2, lie said, required to be entirely re-drafted. Sir W. J. Steward said be would be the last person in the world to sanction the marriage of blood relations. The Hon. J. A. Millar said that the Bill practically meant validating certain, marriages which had been performed, since the passing of the Act- or 1596, and which/under the existing law, were invalid. Sir W. J. Steward said it was contrary to public policy to prevent marriage between persons except on the ground of consanguinity. At present a. man could marrv his deceased wife’s sister, but not his deceased wife's sister’s daughter, though the latter might he a most suitable person. . The Hon. J. A. Miilar moved as an amendment- that the words “but the passing of this Act” be inserted, between the words "parties” and "lawfully” in sub-section 2. The amendment was carried bv 33 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, and the motion was agreed to by 31 to 26. On going into committee again, Sir W. J. Steward moved that the Hon. J. A. MOlar’s amendment be struck out. On the motion being nut it was lost by 38 to 13. The House rose at 5.30 p.m. At the evening sitting the Marriage Act Amendment- Bill was reported with amendments. SOCIETY OF MUSICIANS BILL. The House went into committee _ on the New Zealand Socieiv of Musicians Bill. (Left Sitting.)