PATHETIC CASE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 11, 14 January 1943, Page 6

PATHETIC CASE

FAMILY LEFT DESTITUTE DELAY IN GIVING OF BELIEF ' (0.C.) DARGAVILLE, this day. A pathetic case of a mother and eight children being left destitute was revealed at yesterday's meeting of the KaiDara Hospital Board. The chairman reported that the husband had been in camp, but was discharged on September 30. At that time there Xvas no relief for the family and two of the children were in hospital. The matter was brought under the notice of the army and Social Security authorities, but nothing was done for three months, during which time two grants were made by the board. Some slight headway was made, but.a few days before Christmas there was still nothing in the house. Finally a cheque from the Social Security officer at Dargaville was received. The chairman expressed his intention of pressing the matter further, and quoting the case to the Minister. In reply to a suggestion by the board, the Minister of Social Security had stated that the present legislation would not permit of the Hospital board being refunded the costs of relief, as this would amount to the assignment of the benefit. The Minister added that in order to ensure any charitable case not being unduly delayed in being decided, the board should get in touch with the Social Security Department, when it would receive co-operation and be advised immediately the benefit was granted.