Inebriates' Homes.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 July 1910, Page 4

Inebriates' Homes.

(H'EKTION OF MAINTENANCE COST. The following question and answer. -asked and given in tho House of Representatives last Wednesday, is informative Mr T. E. Taylor asked tho Prime Minister, "Whether the Government will amend the law to enable inebriates, who may desire to become inmates of the Pakatoa. Inebriates' Home, but who have not means to pay the fees charged, to be admitted upon satisfactory evidence being produced .showing tho ill to be in urgent need of seclusion ; without forcing them to be convicted before a. magistrate as habitual drunkards, as is at present necessary to ei-ur© the admission of impecunious drunkards to tho Pakatoa institution?" Reply: The Reformatory Institutions Act of last session provides for admission to an inebriate home on the voluntary .application of the peron concerned, or on the application of a relative; and, in each case, the application is heard in private. In a. few cases, in which the applicantwas unable to contribute towards the cost of his maintenance in the home, the Government has undertaken the liability, and will continue to do so. An amendment of the law will be introduced to authorise the committing magistrate to make an order for the payment of maintenanco money Avhcro the applicant or his relatives are in a position to pay ; but the present practice is sufficient to carry out the honourable .gentleman's wishes on this subject.