WARD ESTATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 50, 28 February 1935, Page 9

WARD ESTATE.

RELIEF SOUGHT. PETITION OF DAUGHTER. LABOUR MEMBER'S. PLEA. (By Telegraph.— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A Select Committee's favourable report on a petition from the daughter of tlie late Sir Joseph Ward (Mrs. Eileen J. Wood), which was adopted by the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, revealed how an estate valued by the Public Trustee at over £300,000 could become involved in difficulties during the depression when death duties had to be paid in cash to the extent of £75,000.

Mrs. Wood, as one of the beneficiaries, petitioned the House asking that, in consideration of her lato father's services to the country and the disastrous effect of the depression upon his estate, some portion of what sho termed the "exorbitant death duties of approximately £75,000" should be repaid. The proportion attributable to her share was £12,150, and in consequence her income had so diminished that she found it impossible to meet expenses incurred by her during the two years her father was Prime Minister, in which time she took her late mother's place as hostess.

The Public Petitions Committee recommended that, after hearing evidence and recognising that Mrs. Wood had no statutory remedy by way of remission of death duties, that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration to the extent that until petitioner's share of the estate became available, the Government should grant an adequate compassionate allowance to meet liabilities incurred during her close association with the lato Prime Minister.

Bank Requirements. Mr. Clyde Carr (Labour, Tiinaru), a member of the committee, stated that the whole necessity for the recommendation of the committee arose out of the fact that the primary claim against the estate was for death duties, which had to be paid promptly, and in cash. The result was that it was impossible for the estate to pay current and accruing interest to the bank, and the jwiyments fell behind. "It is interesting to note," continued the member, "that the bank has not manifested that consideration and generosity which we hope will come from the Government in response to the recommendation of the committee. The bank throughout has insisted upon payment of every penny of current and overdue interest, and while the bank is making that insistent •and exhaustive claim, it means that the beneficiaries in the estate are receiving practically nothing, and are confronted with a financial position which is humiliating and almost unsupportable." Distinguished Service. Mr. Carr added that he realised that there might bo some public misunderstanding with regard to the recommendation, but he hoped, that in view of the long and valuable services rendered to the country by Sir Joseph Ward, and the very valuable service given to him, and indirectly to the country by petitioner, the Government would regard favourably the recommendation. ' In the later years of his life, and particularly in the last few months, it was necessary that Sir Joseph's family should devote themselves very closely to his welfare. This involved a great deal of self-sacrifice in order that Sir Joseph could continue to give some of the great measure of service to the community which had been associated with his long career as a public man. He considered that under the circumstances it had become necessary for the State, for the sake of its own good name as well as to meet the deserved interests of petitioner, to make an allowance as suggested, until benefits would accrue from the estate. If the Government took that view, it would reflect credit upon itself and on Parliament.