“USELESS WASTERS.”

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1922, Page 2

“USELESS WASTERS.”

MAINTENANCE DEFAULTERS. FARM COLONY SUGGESTED. At a meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, Mrs. A. E. Herbert moved: “That the Minister in charge of Prisons be urged to amend the existing legislation so as to provide that persistent defaulters in the matter of maintenance orders shall be employed on some form of remunerative work and their earnings applied to the maintenance of their families, and that other hospital boards be asked to co-operate in endeavoring to bring about immediate reform.” Mrs. Herbert said the condition of many of these deserted wives was deplorable, and they received no maintenance from any source except from the Benevolent Committee. In two homes she had visited recently the husbands had pawned blankets and other articles in order to buy drink, and as a result the children were shivering with the cold. Dr. P. C. Fenwick seconded the motion. Mr. H. J. Horrell said that last month the committee dealt with cases of twenty-nine deserted wives, and it was absolutely necessary, if the men were committed to gaol, that they should be given some employment. so that the money earned could go to their wives and children. Mr. A. T. Smith said there ’should be a farm colony for these useless wasters; run something after the style of the Continental institutions. There, when the man worked, his scale of diet was improved. It might be news to the members of the board, but he could tell them there were fourth generations in receipt of charity. It had run in the family. The motion was carried.