A NEW ACT

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3617, 24 March 1927, Page 3

A NEW ACT

FAMILY ALLOWANCES. APPLICATIONS IN HAND. One of the most important measures of the legislation of last session, the Family Allowances Act, will come into operation on April 1. The machinery necessary to carry out the scheme is in readiness, and application forms are now available. In fact, many applications for the allowance are already is hand, and in some cases authority for payment will be able to be issued on the day the Act comes into force. Briefly stated, the Act provides for a contribution of 2s a week for every child in excess of two up to the age of 15 years, provided that the average weekly income from all sources of the family of the applicant, including any allowance payable under tlie Act, shall not exceed £4, plus 2s for each child in excess of two. The chief information the applicant is required to furnish in returning the application form is in regard to income. and property, which constitutes the main, qualification for eligibility. The number of children in the family, their dates of birth, the income of the applicant and of his wife and any children under 15 years of age, information ns to the country of birth of the applicants, period of residence in New Zealand, and interest that may be derived by any member of the family from personal property, are among the questions to he answered. Applications must be made by the father of the family on the prescribed form, which will be available at Courthouses throughout the Dominion, except in those centres where there arc registrars of pensions, where they will be issued through the pensions offices. DEFINITION OF “INCOME.” Regulations have been issued in the latest “Gazette” defining the provisions of the Act. One of the principal clauses in the regulations makes very clear what constitutes “income.” The. term “income,” according to the “Gazette,” shall not be deemed to include—-Any allowance payable under the said Act.; any payment by way of sick or funeral benefit from any registered friendly society; any money received on the sale or exchange of land or other property; any money received under an insurance policy on the destruction or damage by fire or otherwise of a building or other property; any principal or capital sum received on the intestacy or under the will of any member of the family; any money raised by public subscription for the benefit of any member of the family; any money received by way of compensation or damages jn respect of the death of any member of the family; personal earnings which have ceased owing to loss of employment or other cause..