Page:Marriage with a deceased wife s sister.pdf/27

 and I am quite sure that as these marriages go on in the Colonies this feeling will grow and grow very strongly, unless there is something more than the mere question of altering the law with regard to real property. The children of such marriages, as was pointed out by Sir Samuel Griffith, should enjoy all the privileges of an English marriage. Otherwise it is not an equal law as regards marriage. If we are to be merely looked upon as foreigners in the Colonies, be it so; but if we are to be looked upon as an united people, we ought as far as possible to have our laws recognised here. I should question very much whether, supposing the marriage to be contracted in a part of Europe where such marriages are recognised, the children of persons contracting such a marriage and possessing property here would not inherit landed estate here. Supposing that a marriage of this kind were contracted in Denmark, where such marriages are recognised, between people naturalised here and domiciled here, and that they purchased property here, it is a question whether that property would not pass to the children of the marriage. The question has never yet been decided what is the position of offspring of marriages of this character. I do not think that the law of Europe would be read in the way in which it is proposed to read the Colonial law; that is to say, that the marriage in one respect is good, and in another respect is bad. I think it is of vast importance now we are drawing closer and closer together, and I am sure it would be recognised in the Colonies as one of the greatest boons that could be granted, that these marriages should be recognised in all their perfection, that is to say, that landed property as well as personal estate should pass to the children; and that does not apply simply to personalty, because in the case of many