PROTECTION SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 139, 15 June 1939, Page 19

PROTECTION SOCIETY.

BUSY MONTH'S WORK. MANY CASES ASSISTED. Tin-re was a larjre attendance of member* at the monthly executive meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children held in the society's oflice. Mr. 1). Donaldson, J.P., was re-eleeted chairman for the ensiling year. The following were elected to the standing committee: Mrs. Preston Chambers, Mrs. Pe/.aro, Mrs. Bloodworth, Mrs. Simpson, Mrs. C'olwill, Father ('olgan, Rev. A. Astor, Rev. W. •lellie. Hon. B. Martin, Mr. D. Don.iMson. Mr. .1. B. Donald, Mrs. E. W. Moore. Kev. H. Johnson.

A discussion took place on the question of venereal disease, and the necessity for effective measures to cope with this social evil. A committee was set up to prepare a report for discussion, and suitable proposals for remedial action will be put forward. The inspector, Mrs. N. M. Molesworth, J.P., submitted a report on the conference of justices of the peace held in Timaru recently. Among the remits discussed and adopted hv this conference were many of vital importance to the welfare of women and children, and Mrs. Molesworth as a delegate was able to contribute from her practical experience to the discussion.

11l aid of those in need of «ifts of baby clothing and blankets had been received from "Wemly - ' and from the Women's Institute at Aka Aka, and the cordial thanks of the executive was expressed for this help. Boy Stowaway's Confinement. A letter was received from the Minister of .Justice concerning tile previously reported case of a boy being con lined to the dummy funnel on the ship in which he had stowed away. The report showed that there was ample space and ventilation, and that only when the ship was in port was the boy kept locked in, thris being necessary 111 the case of stowaways or deportees, as the ship is responsible for them.

The secretary's report showed a total of 148 cases dealt with during the month, of which 75 were domestic difliculties, neglect or desertion. Of these 18 were sent to the solicitor for Court proceedings, and the remainder were adjusted in the oftice. In some cases reconciliations were effected, in others private arrangements made for the payment of maintenance, the office assisting by receiving and paying out free of charge. During the month f:J2O was thus handled for clients. Of the cases concerning children, several were referred to the Child Welfare Department. Others were warned that this may be done. The inspector made 69 visits to homes, institutions, etc., and attended the Courts eight times. Help For Pensioners. In many cases help is sought with regard to pensions, and by co-operation with the Government Dejjertments the society is able to be of service to those in need. A question which has arisen since the Social Security legislation is whether women who are separated from their husbands and receiving maintenance allowances, either by agreement or by Court order, are required to pay the i tax of 1/ in the £1. Many of these j | women already have a terrible struggle j to exist and to support their children ; jon the amount they receive, which | varies according to the man's position. I For instance, some have orders for onlv 30/ per week for self and two children, and even the smallest deduction would be a great hardship. A letter has been sent to the Commissioner of Taxes asking for a ruling on the question, in r cases where the allowance is part of a ! man's wages cm which tar has already been paid. If such an anomaly exists, it could no doubt be removed by a>uend- ' ing regulations.