CHARITABLE AID PAYMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18519, 2 October 1923, Page 6

CHARITABLE AID PAYMENT.

RECOVERY FROM RELATIVES.

{BOARD'S. LIMITED POWERS. [BE TELEGRAPH. —OWN naPKirrPONDENT.! GREV&rOUTH. Monday. The Grey Hospital Board is seeking mi, amendment ;to the section of the Bestir tute Persons : Act, which provides : , that-, although the destitute / person may see a near relative, such' as a brother or sister, ■; for maintenance, ? the aboard supporting I such' person- cannot -so V proceed. At a recent meeting of the board the question :., was ";. again;}; the k : subject ; ;of dis-; cussion ■ (arising.-' out of 'a'.- letter} from :; the South J Canterbury /.Hospital; Board asking for the board's endorsement of a resolution regarding the' vexed question of wife v desertion. The chairman, Mr. J. i W. Hannah, •said there were a number of such cases. ? There was a curious 'provision V: in 'HthelV Destitute; Persons Act wbereby, :■ although private \ individuals might elaini maintenance from a near relative, ' "which term i included a brother and sister, the Hospital Board could recover maintenance only from the pairent, husband or wife. A provision should be made so that the magistrate J;could ha re power to make an 'order against near relatives. At present it was , possible '■ for '■ the board to, be ,assistinflr a woman ?who had * brother -worth* £1000 a yejir. The board had no claim on , the brother, j He had; mentioned thp matter to the former Minister ■;for, ; Health, the ■" Hon. v'O;V; J.!; Parr, but had heard nothing since. He would move that the .Minister for Health be i asked to consider', the advisability £of amending the law so as to provide that boards; could proceed J against near relatives for assistance. to destitute persons.