(3) the withholding of all legal recognition of any con-
cubine taken on after the Appointed Date;
(4) the introduction of certain safeguards, against possible abuses in dissolutions of marriages by mutual consent. But, though these changes must be widely understood, it is essential that equal or more stress is laid on what is being allowed and retained.”
84. The Sub-Committee regards this matter as of such impor- tance that it thought it necessary to deal with it at the very outset of the present report; see paras. 8-12 above. With respect to the actual recommendations made in the Report, however, the Sub- Committee would comment that, if the recommendations of the authors are accepted (and the same would apply with even greater force if the suggestions of this Sub-Committee were accepted), the Government could scarcely pretend that it had ...... no intention of abolishing existing forms of Chinese Marriages .". The in- troduction of registration, and of other limitations on, and incidents of, marriage, administered by governmental authority of any kind, is a massive and fundamental innovation as regards existing Chinese marriage law, and little would be gained by attempting to conceal this fact except, perhaps, further confusion. Rather, the Sub- Committee would like to see such public debate as may develop on the question of marriage reform carried on with this basic truth very much in mind.
NEW RECOMMENDATION No. 11: ON CERTAIN OTHER MEASURES
Intention:
To note the apparent desirability, if certain of the preceding New Recommendations are approved, of other consequential action.
Recommendation:
(1) If New Recommendation No. 1(6) is approved and implemented, it will be necessary to consider whether
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Private notes are available after approval.