FAMILY BENEFITS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 30 November 1945, Page 4

FAMILY BENEFITS

METHOD OF PAYMENT MINISTER’S EXPLANATION (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) Wellington, Nov. 29. The universal family benefits which will be granted for all children from Ist April, 1946, will in general be paid to the mother, said the Minister of Social Security, Mr Parry, in a statement to-day. The Minister indicated that inquiries had been made espen - ally from the remoter parts of Now Zealand and these showed that some mothers were concerned about the effect of the payment of universal family benefits. Mr Parry went on to explain that an application for such benefit could be made either by the mother or the father, but be emphasised that a benefit when authorised would in general be paid to the mother where she had custody of the children and the money must be used for the maintenance and education of U:c- child in respect of whom it was awarded. “Every facility will be given in cases where both the father and mother voluntarily agree to divert the pay ment of the family benefit to the Commissioner of Taxes to liquidate the husband’s tax indebtedness,” said the Minister. “However, this is a purely voluntary arrangement and unless there is mutual agreement on the question payment will be made in the usual manner direct to the mother.” The Minister bdded that an official announcement would be made some time prior to Ist April when forma of application would be available at authorised departmental offices throughout the Dominion, but he trusted that the explanation given would clarify the position regarding the manner in‘which payment would be made.