135
and fragmentary; they were inclined, too, to
lead to doubts as to the proper way in which
they should be applied; and there were many legal
inconsistencies which impeded the healthy
development of religious bodies and their cultural
activities. It was very necessary that an end
should be put to such an unsatisfactory state of
affairs.
5.
The measure was not accepted by the
House of Peers without amendment, the most
important change effected being the elimination
of a clause providing that a sect or denomination
with the status of juridical person should be
dissolved upon bankruptcy.
It was pointed out
in the course of the debate that although there
were 70,000 Buddhist temples in Japan there had
never been a case in which such a temple had been
unable to pay its way and that conditions did not
require that too legalistic a view of the matter
should be taken, This amendment, together with
one or two others of minor importance, was finally
accepted by the Government and the bill was
subsequently adopted in its amended form by the
House of Representatives.
6.
A special feature of the debate in
both houses was the attention given to the position
of Mohammedaniem under the new legislation.
Your Lordship will be aware from previous despatches
from /
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