SOCIAL WELFARE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1930, Page 11

SOCIAL WELFARE

COMMITTEE'S POLICY

CASES OF DISTRESS

The "Evening Post" has recently received letters giving particulars of the position of certain necessitous families, and questioning the fairness of some of the methods adopted in the granting or refusal of charitable aid. In the winter months the number of applications for assistance, especially those caused principally by unemployment, naturally increase,1 and already this winter the Social Welfare Committee, of the Hospital" Board is experiencing much (difficulty in meeting the numerous appeals for help. While it is impossible to go into all tho cases submitted to the editor, particulars of one case have been submitted by "The Post" to the committee, with the view of ascertaining how far the statements made in respeQt to it are correct or exaggerated. In this instance, it. stated that the applicant was a married woman with six young children depending on her. The applicant is living apart from her husband, vho cannot apparently contribute toivard the support of the family owing to ill-health. The wife, who was recently in hospital, is earning 30s a week, and her eldest boy is earning 15s a week. It is stated that owing to having to appear every week before the committee, and thus leave her work, tho woman: got?in arrears in ' payment of her rent, and her 'allowance was reduced.' In this instance two of the children are now in hospital. COMMITTEE'S STATEMENT. ■ Tho particulars of this case were mentioned to tho chairman of the Social Welfare Committee-of the Hospital Board (Mr. J. Petherick), who, after making inquiries, has furnished to the "Evening Post" a reply in which the methods adopted by the committee in dealing with such cases of distress are explained. The aim of the committee, he says, is to deal fairly, with every case on its merits. Mr. Petherick says:— . Wife Apart from Husband.—Where maintenance orders are in force against deserting or separated husbands, this must be taken into account. If payments ate not being received, allowance is accordingly made, but it must bo tho wifo who takes action to compel payment. Presenting Rent Book.—The practico of the Social Welfare Department is to take the total income and deduct rent plus Ss, and divide the balance among the members of the family. If the result shows an amount for each one up to the basis set by the committee, it is not considered to be a case for relief. If below that basis, relief is given to bring the family up to it. Where there is income, and the usual allowance for rent is made, it is not unreasonable to ask for the rent book to be produced as evidence of payment. It is a safeguard to the board and the applicant as well.

Amount of Belief.—This will necessarily vary if the income varies, as will be at once apparent to the most casual observer. The amount and kind of relief granted is_ based upon the needs and the circumstances in each case.

Children Refused Coupons.—Generally, the committee does not approve of the practice of children being sent to

the office. 'In some cases, however, it is unavoidable. In this particular case the children were refused because they could not supply evidence of tho circumstances of the family, without which it is impossible to judge what relief should be given; also because the rent book was not produced as requested. If rent is not being paid, no allowance can be made for rent when computing the family's income. Payment of Bent.—No able-bodied man is receiving rent. Only in cases of disablement or sickness of the breadwinner, or other special circumstances is rent granted.

.Reduced Allowance. —The value of the grant made in this case was reduced this week because two of the family are in Hospital. Any other reduction has been made, on basis of income as previously stated.

Mr. Petherick added that the scale of relief granted by the Wellington Hospital Board is more liberal than that of any" of tho other hospital board in tils Dominion.