A MURDERER'S CHILDREN.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1920, Page 6

A MURDERER'S CHILDREN.

QUESTION OF MAINTENANCE. GOVERNMENT GRANTS RELIEF. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Nov. !). The peculiar position in which the Stratford Hospital Board lias been placed owing to having to support the six children of a man who was hanged by the State for murdering his wife, lias been mentioned in Parliament several times during the session by Air. K. Masters, M.P., and at last the Government has agreed to assist the Ilospual Board to the extent of paying 60 per cent, of the cost of maintaining the children in an institution. In referring to the matter at yesterdays meeting of the board, the chairman (.Mr. C. I). Sole) said that Mr. Masters bad tried very hard to induce the Government to accept full responsibility for the family, but was unsuccessful, the Minister poiiififig out that al- ' though Stratford was In a peculiar posi- j tion in regard to this family, there were numerous cases in other parts of the Dominion where tin; dependents of a man! in prison would Ixr'une a charge upon tlie State if the Government agreed to assume such responsibility. In the circumstances, added Mr. ' Sole, he thought the board fortunate in getting the Government to contribute half the cost of maintenance, which, with the Government subsidy ou expenditure, really amounted to 73 per cent, of the cost. The Minister of Justice, in writing to Air. Masters on the matter, said: "Referring to the representations made to me by you in regard to' this family. I have to inform you that the . Department of Justice is only concerned in seeing that the administration of the law is carried out, and that the matter of charitable aid to person,: who mav have been affected thereby is not one in which it is concerned, nor docs it possess auv funds which could be used for such purpose. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to take anv action in the matter." Letters will be forwarded to the. Minister of Public Health anil to Mr. 11 Masters, M.P.. thanking them.