ALLEGED BREACH OF WAR PENSIONS ACT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 197, 15 May 1919, Page 5

ALLEGED BREACH OF WAR PENSIONS ACT

— A WARNING TO THE PUBLIC. By Toleirrarih-Press Association. ••«* «■ Ar • Christchurch, May 14. At. the Magistrates Court to-day tho Pensions Department proceeded against a woman for not disclosing certain particulars when making a claim under the War Pensions Act in respect to tho death of her soldier sen. Mv. Gilfedder, Registrar of Pensions, said tho in making a declaration, had not disclosed that her husband was earning per week. Mr. Gilfedder added that'tho proceedings were not instituted from any motive of vindictiveness, but rather as a ■warning to tho public that breaches of tho Act could not be tolerated by the Department. There seemed to be an impression that the giving of wrong information was the only offence. That was not the case, the non-disclosure of material facts constituted an offence and it would be impossible for the Department 'fo administer tho various Acts if tho particulars required were witheld or suppressed. This referred to all pensions—war, widows,, old age, military, and miners', Mr. Gilfedder also mentioned that tho Department had on occasion been subjected to adverse criticism on account of apparent delays, but in every case the delay was caused on account of particulars and information required not being forthcoming. For tho defence it was stated that the woman was under mental distress at tho time, and had not intended to deceive the Department, Tho Magistrate said ho. was satisfied there had been no intention to mislend tho Department, and dismissed tho case. At the same time he thought the prosecution was quite justified. There was no doubt that n certain section of the public had an ideA that all sorts of wild statements could bo made with impunity, and lie hoped that the present prosecution would show that such was not tho case.