HELP NEEDED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 63, 15 March 1944, Page 3

HELP NEEDED

ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN PROTECTION SOCIETY'S MOVE Provision under social security for the support of illegitimate children is sought by the Society for the Protection of Women and Children in recommendations made to the Minister of Social Security. The society has from time to time come across cases of hardship in which no provision can be secured permanently for an illegitimate child. The father may be dead or have left the country, or, in other cases, he cannot be located so that proceedings might be taken. There are also instances where paternity is doubtful and yet there is a child to be provided for. The* executive committee has therefore made the following recommendations to the Minister:—That provision under social security be made available on application for the support of illegitimate children by a benefit of not less than 10/6 petweek, especially in the following circumstances: (a) In cases where affiliation and maintenance orders have been granted by the Court but payment cannot be secured; (b) in cases where, by reason of his absence or death, maintenance cannot be obtained from the father; (c) in cases where paternity cannot be established or an application for an order is refused, leaving the child unprovided for; (d) in cases "where a woman has lived as the wife of a man and had children by him but has been deserted by him. (It should be noted here that as long as the couple live together the woman may receive the family benefit, but when the man deserts her she will have it stopped, being no longer eligible.) Reports covering a total of 123 cases in which the society's help has been sought were given to the committee. Delegates to the National Council who were reappointed were Mrs. T. Bloodworth, Mrs. C. Benton and Mrs. A. M. Hutchinson.