FAMILY ALLOWANCES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5016, 20 August 1926, Page 2

FAMILY ALLOWANCES

GOVERNMENT BILL INTRODUCED.

CHILDREN TO BENEFIT.

Between 55,000 and 60,000 children of New Zealand parents whose incomes are under £4 per week will receive monetary assistance from the State a.s the result of a Government measure, the Family Allowances Bill, which was introduced into the House oO Representatives on Tuesday, in . ademption of a pledge made at the last elections. The, Bill, which is regarded as the most important item in the Government’s legislative programme this session, provides ( for the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of two shillings a week for each child in excess of two whoi is under 15 years of age.

The Act is to come into force on April 1, 1927. Upon application being made to the Commissioner, of Pensions a father of three or more children is entitled to receive two shillings a week for every child under 15 years of age in excess of two, provided that the average'weekly income from alii sources of the family of the applicant does not exceed £4. “Child” in relation to an application tor the allowance, embraces legal adoptions, but does not include an illegitimate, or children in respect of whom a pension is payable under the 1913 Pensions Act, the 1915 War Pensions, Act, or other enactment. . When the Commissiioner of Pensions is computing the average weekly income of the family he will have to ta.ke into account the money or money’s worth received within the year preceding the date of application from all. sources, by any member of the family for his own benefit or for the benefit of any member of the family, and interest at the rate of! & per cent, (or such other higher rate as, may be actually received) on the value of the beneficial interest of any member in aiiy real dr personal property. In any special, caste' the Commissioner is invested, with authority to take into, consideration any increase df income any member of the family may be entitled to''receive in the ensuing year, or any decrease to be suffered in that year. Where, the income of tip applicant is derived otherwise than from salary or wages the Commissioner will deduct a sum equal to the amount which in his opinion Ms been expended by the applicant in the production of the income. EXTENSION OF BENEFITS. The benefits are. extended in respect of certain children. Where the Minister of Pensions /is satisfied that a child benefiting under the Act is by reason of physical or mental deficiency totally incapacitated from earning, a living, the allowance may continue to be paid lifter the child has turned fifteen. Dis'cretionary power is also given the Minister to authorise the payment of an alfljownpce to an illegitimate, PAYMENT TO MOTHER. Save in exceptional to be determined by the Commissioner, all allowances under the Act are to be paid to the wife of the applicant. If the wife is not living with the applicant the allowance may be paid to him. No allowances wiU be payable unless, the applicant and his wife have permanejitly resided ih the Dominion for a year, and unless the children were either born here or lived in the 'country for a year. Permanent residence will not. be interrupted by the fact that while remaining domiciled in_ New Zealand the person has beep employed out of the country. ALIENS EXCLUDED.

It is further provided that no allowances will be paya.ble to an alien, or an Asiatic (whether naturalised br not, and whether a British subject by birth or not) ; and allowances, may be refused if the applicant or his. wife is a notoriously bad character, has been guilty of mis'conduct, dishonouring either in the public estimqticta, or if either has directly or indirectly deprived himself or herself of income or property in order to obtain .the allowance. CHILDREN TO BENEFIT. The Act definitely lays it down that all allowances are to be applied, exclusively for the benefit of. the children, and where the Commissioner doubts that the grant wild, contribute towards- the ma.intena.nce or education of the child, he may, with the approval of the Minister, decline the application.

Under the heading of offences, the Bill renders liable to a fine of £lOO, or twelve month’s imprisonment,' anybody who claims or receives the allowance without rigiht, fails to disclose faithfully particulars of the property and income’.of a family making a claim, or uses improper, false, or fraudulent to obtain the allowance.

All the amounts payable by way off allowarice are to be made. out of the consolidated fund.