The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1927. FAMILY ALLOWANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1927. FAMILY ALLOWANCE.

Some relief to the needy at this juncture of stringency will be forthcoming immediately under a special act passed last session. Machinery for giving effect to the provisions of the Family Allowances Act, which operates on April Ist., says a 'Wellington telegram, is now ready, in fact quite a number of applications for allowances are already in hand, and in some cases authority for payment will he able to be issued on. the day the Act comes into force. The Act provides for a contribution of 2s a week for every child in excess of two up to the age of 13 years, provided that the average income from all sources of the family of the applicant, including any allowance payable under the Act, shall not exceed £4, plus 2s for each child in excess of two. The chief information the applicant is required to furnish in filling in the application, which constitutes the main qualification for eligibility. The number of children in the family, their dates of birth, the income of applicant and of his wife and any children under 15 years cf age, information as to country of birth of the applicants,-period of residence in New Zealand, etc, and interest that may be derived by any menjber of the family from personal property, are among questions'that are to be answered. Applications must- be made by tbo

father of the family on. the prescribed form, which is being made available at courthouses throughout liie Dominion. except in those centres where there are registrars of pensions, where they will he issued through the pensions offices. AVidows with children are provided for under other pensions legislation. For the purpose of defining certain provisions in the Act the regulations will he published in the “Gazette” ’probably at the olid of this week. One of the principal clauses in the regulations will make it clear what constitutes ‘•income.” In explanation of the requirements of tho Act in regard to income, it. may Ic pointed out that the scheme is conlined to families with earnings commencing at £4 per week and under, the allowance gradually disappearing above that amount. To quote concrete examples, a man with a family of three children earning £4 per week, will receive an allowance of 2s per week in respect m tho third child. If there were four children, the allowance would lie Is and so, with an addition of 2s for each additional child—eight children 12s, ten children lljs. etc. A man with a family of three children and £4 Is income per week would get the dillcrenee between the £4 and tile amount derivable if be were receiving £4 per week—that is, 1-; if lie bad four children he would receive 3s. Thus there is no fixed limit of income plus allowance, the maximum, amount which may be received depending upon tbc number of children in the family. Provision is made in the Act that children who are not being directly maintained by tbc applicant will not be eligible for the allowance; the allowance may Ik? continued in respect to any child over the age of 15 years who is totally incapacitated from earning a living. Tho Minister may authorise the allowance to be paid in respect- of illegitimate children, who may be accounted mendiers of families if they are being maintained by the father. There are other provisions covering other exceptional circumstances, [t is pointed out tlrat the new law is not applicable to widows with children. Special provision, for them is made under other pensions legislation. The Minister of Pensions (the Hon. G. ,T. Anderson) stated in the House of Representatives last session when the bill was under discussion that, it was estimated the legislation provided for from 55,000 to 60,000 children, whose parents’ incomes were round about C 4 per week. The amount involved would bo about £260,000 per annum.