CO129-247 - Acting Governor Fleming Governor Des Voeus - 1890 [10-12] — Page 259

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

and almost to every superstition. In the vast Empire of India, it has dealt with the law of marriage on the broadest basis and with, at the same time, the most careful regard for the interests of the State and of Society.

The Indian Marriage Law is a model of what such a law ought to be; it is not a copy of some Ordinance found in force elsewhere, without regard to its fitness. It is the result of a profound study of the whole subject. The highly organized Churches, such as the Roman Catholic Church, and the Churches of England and Scotland, have full and complete laws relating to marriage, and provide amply for the proper celebration and registration of marriages.

They fulfil the requirements of the State law, and are recognized and left to the perfect freedom they ought to enjoy. Religious bodies that are not so perfectly organized are left free as to the point of time, place, and form, but the State, in the absence of Authority, licenses the Minister and verifies him in fact. Where a religious organization can regulate and sanction the Marriage contract, there, and there only, the State steps in, and lays down the necessary rules.

This really philosophical and sensible law has been in force in India for over 100 years, and in the Straits Settlements since its existence as a portion of Her Majesty's Dominions, and it has worked thoroughly well. There have been no complaints of laxity or want of proper work on the part of the Roman Catholic Clergy, and the work the State wants done in connexion with Marriage has been done, and done well, without any...

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and almost to every superstition. In the vast Empire of India, it has dealt with the law of marriage on the broadest basis and with, at the same time, the most careful regard for the interests of the State and of Society. The Indian Marriage Law is a model of what such a law ought to be; it is not a copy of some Ordinance found in force elsewhere, without regard to its fitness. It is the result of a profound study of the whole subject. The highly organized Churches, such as the Roman Catholic Church, and the Churches of England and Scotland, have full and complete laws relating to marriage, and provide amply for the proper celebration and registration of marriages. They fulfil the requirements of the State law, and are recognized and left to the perfect freedom they ought to enjoy. Religious bodies that are not so perfectly organized are left free as to the point of time, place, and form, but the State, in the absence of Authority, licenses the Minister and verifies him in fact. Where a religious organization can regulate and sanction the Marriage contract, there, and there only, the State steps in, and lays down the necessary rules. This really philosophical and sensible law has been in force in India for over 100 years, and in the Straits Settlements since its existence as a portion of Her Majesty's Dominions, and it has worked thoroughly well. There have been no complaints of laxity or want of proper work on the part of the Roman Catholic Clergy, and the work the State wants done in connexion with Marriage has been done, and done well, without any...
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and almost to every superstition. In the vast, Empire of India it has dealt with the law of marriage the vroadest basis and with, at the sauce. av time; the most careful regard for the interests of the State and of Society. Ine and an Marriage :aw is model of what such ve, it is not, write copy of Gi ought to as our Gerduviance, a some Ordinance ~ und in force elsewhere, without rigard to its fitness, it is the result "s a profound study of the whole ww.ject. The highly organized Churches. se Roman Catholic Church, and the land and Scotland, Churches of England laws marriage. are full and :plete, and provide amply for proper & bration and registration or marriages. liling requirements of the State law, in themselves all the ~ are recognized and left to the perfect. freedom they ought to enjoy. Religions bodies 258 bodies not so. perfectly organized are left free or point of time, place and form, but the State, in the absence of Authority there is no censes the Minister and verifieshim in fact. Where religious organisation ulate and sauction the Marriage to regulate contract, there, and there only the State steps in, and lays down the necessary rules. This really philosophical and sensible law has been unforce in India for over 100 years and in the Straits Settlements suice its ~ existence as a portion of Ster Majesty's Dominions, and it has worked thorough fully well. There has been complaints of lavity. 200 dave or wa ant of on the part ( of the part) of the Roman Catholic Clergy, and the work the State wants dove in connexion with Marriage has been done, and done well without any
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and almost to every superstition. In the vast, Empire of India it has dealt with the law of marriage

the

vroadest basis and with, at the sauce.

av

time; the most careful regard for the interests of the State and of Society.

Ine and an Marriage :aw is model of what such

ve, it is not,

write copy of

Gi

ought to

as our Gerduviance, a

some Ordinance ~

und in force elsewhere, without rigard to its fitness, it is the result "s a profound study of the whole ww.ject. The highly organized Churches.

se Roman Catholic Church, and the

land and Scotland,

Churches of England

laws

marriage. are full and

:plete, and provide amply for proper

&

• bration and registration or marriages.

liling requirements of the State law,

in themselves all the ~

are

recognized and left to the perfect. freedom they ought to enjoy. Religions

bodies

258

bodies not so.

perfectly organized

are left free or point of time, place

and form, but the State, in the absence of Authority

there is no

censes

the

Minister and verifieshim in fact. Where

religious organisation ulate and sauction the Marriage

to regulate

contract, there, and there only the State steps in, and lays down the

necessary rules.

This really philosophical and sensible law has been unforce in India for over 100 years and in the Straits Settlements suice its ~ existence as a portion of Ster Majesty's Dominions, and it has worked thorough fully well. There has been

complaints of lavity.

200

dave

or wa

ant of

on the part ( of the part) of the Roman Catholic Clergy,

and the

work the State wants dove in

connexion with Marriage has

been done, and done well without

any

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