WERAROA ESCAPEES

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 258, 29 July 1939, Page 12

WERAROA ESCAPEES

Damage To Property In District NOT A NEW PROBLEM Character Of Institution To Be Changed “Every possible step is being taken to prevent tlie absconding of boys front Weraroa and subsequent damage to tlie property of the people of the district, which too frequently has followed those abscondings in the past,’' said the Minister of Education, Mr. Fraser, in a reply in the House of Representatives yesterday to questions asked by Mr. Broad foot (Opposition, Waitomo) and Mr. Lowry (Government, Otaki). Mr. Fraser said it was proposed to confer with Mr. Lowry and representative citizens of the Levin district before tenders were called for the proposed new buildings in Weraroa.

“The problem of boys absconding from Weraroa-is not new; indeed, the position is much better now than it has been in the past,” said Mr. Fraser. “For tlie 11 years 1925 to 1935, with an average of 86 boys in residence, there were, on the average, 56 abscondings a year. For the three and a half years 1936 to June 30, 1938, with an average of 56 boys in residence, abscondings occurred at the rate of 27 a year. In 1930 there were 72 abscondings; in 1931, 97; and in 1932. 119. In 1936 there were 18 abscondings; in 1937, 21; in 1938, 33: and for the first half of this year 23 abscondings involving 15 individual boys. ..., “The problem of the delinquent child is recognized everywhere as a very difficult one, and has to be approached in a variety of ways, one of which, institutional control, unfortunately is still necessary. Though largely superseded by other preferable modern methods of promoting the welfare of delinquent children, who are generally uufortun-, ate in many respects rather than incorrigible, the institutional system is still essential in a modified and improved form. m . Occupational Training.

“It is intended to transform the training farm into a school providing a wide range of cultural, technical and occupational training, including agriculture for the boys. The present buildings, which have been obsolete for years, are quite unsuitable even for their present function, far less for the new purpose indicated. “Accordingly, new buildings have been planned for Weraroa. These, together with , the reorganization of the staff, which is proceeding, should enable the whole character of the institution to be changed in conformity with enlightened practice. In the meantime every possible step is being taken to prevent the absconding of boys from Weraroa and subsequent damage to the property of the people of the district. SICK PAY BENEFITS Liability To Social Security Tax REGARDED AS INCOME \ ■“ “The position is that the sick pay referred to comes within the definition of income for income-tax purposes, and is accordingly income for the purpose, of the social security charge,” said the Prime .Minister, when replying in the House of Representatives yesterday to a question asked by Mr. Holland (Opposition. Christchurch North). Mr. Holland asked whether the attention of the Minister of Finance had been drawn to a circular issued at the Hutt Railway Workshops to all members of the Government Railways Employees’ Sick Benefit Society advising them that any sick benefits paid to members must be regarded as income and became liable to the social security tax of 1/- in the pound; and whether he would take the necessary steps to exempt railway sickness benefits from Hie obligation to pay social security tax? “It is recognized that there is some justification for exemption from liability In respect of sick benefit payments received by members of the Government railways and the numerous other ■sick benefit societies.” said Mr. Savage “The matter is at present under consideration with a view to rectification along with other anomalies arising out of certain provision of the Social Security Act.”