FALSE STATEMENTS

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 414, 22 April 1937, Page 4

FALSE STATEMENTS

TWO RELIEF WORKERS Stratford Men Before Court. In the Stratford Court this morning, before Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., Reginald George Goble was charged that, for the purpose ot obtaining a benefit under the provisions of “The Employment Promotion Act, 1936,” he made a false statement to an official engaged in the administrsir tion of the Act.

Sergeant T. Brenchley said that on October 6 defendant registered as unemployed and declared that he was married and had one child under the age of 16. He said his wife was living at Waipuku. During the period he was receiving relief it was ascertained that he was separated from his wife, who was living at Whakatane. The excess amount received by Goble was £7/10/6. In reply to the Magistrate, defendant said he had not known how to fill in the papers. The Magistrate said he would fix the fine at the amount Goble had robbed the Government, and told defendant that he was getting off lightly. One month was allowed in which to pay the fine. Checking Forms. Geo. Oscar Olsen was similarly charged. Sergeant Brenchley said that on June 29 defendant registered as unemployed and stated that he had one child under the age of 16. It was acertained that defendant was iiot living with his wife and was not supporting her. The child was living with defendant's parents. Mr. Percy Thomson, who appeared on defendant’s behalf, suggested that it would be advisable for the Placement Officer to check over the forms after they had been completed. He said that perhaps some of the men did not realise the effect of the manner in which the questions were answered. Mr. Woodward said it was quite a valuable suggestion that the forms should he gone through with the Placement Officer. He could not do less than order that the amount be repaid, said Mr. Woodward in fining defendant £l9 17/- (costs 10/-). If defendant had paid a substantial amount at the end of two months he would consider giving further extension of time in which to pay.