EPIDEMIC WINDOWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 128, 24 February 1919, Page 2

EPIDEMIC WINDOWS

CABINET'S FINAL DECISION. A communication from the Minister of Public Health, the Hon. G. _W.. Russell, stating the final decision of Cabinet in resfwct to the cases of epidemic widows,'" widowebrs,, and orphans, was read at the 1 meeting of- the Auckland Hospital'and Charitable Aid' Board last week. ~ " ' , ~'.■» The Minister slated that the relief of children left as orphans would be_ administered solely 'by the Minister of Education. Widows without children would not be assisted under the special scheme, but if in necessitous circumstances they must seek Assistance through the culinary channels. Widows with children would be assisted to the extent of 10s. Gd a.week for each boy under 10. and each girl under 18, in the event of the child not being in employment, or some such less sum as the ense .merited. A widowed mother might: also be assisted up t0.25s a week, while in some eases it might be necessary to assist the children, but not the mother. Widowers with children were to be assisted only ■ where it was necessary to keep the home together for the benefit of the children, but only in, extraordinary cases would there bo a weekly pension for the children of widowers.. Widowers able to work wouid receive assistance in the'form of an allowance up to 255. a week In provide a housekeeper or womim in the home for the benefit of tho children but as a general rule no payment would be authorised for the family of a man earnin? JES-lOs. a. week or over except where" there were special circumstances, such as a large family to keep. Maori sufferea's womd be dealt witA by the Native Affairs Department. Belief through hospital boards would be administered by special committees appointed 'under Section 64 of the Hospitals Act, 1909. and it was recommended that a committee of seven, including women, be appointed for each hospital district, three of the memb°rs to be outsiders. These committees should be known as Social Welfare Committees, which would review ail allowances'quarterly.