DEFAULTING HUSBANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18586, 19 December 1923, Page 13

DEFAULTING HUSBANDS.

PUNISHMENT ADVOCATED.

DOST TO THE COMMUNITY.

; Some resentment was expressed at the meeting of the Hospital and Charitable Aid * Board last evening, at the. decision of ;the -Minister", for Justice not to make any, change .in the existing regulations for the apprehension ' and punishment of de • faulting husbands. The chairman, . Mr. W. Wallace, said thai at least 20 hospital boards had asked that legislation \ should be introduced to compel defaulting husbands to assume their responsibilities, and \it was difficult to : understand the Minister's attitude. Only those who ; came •■: in . touch „ with cases : of i relief knew what a charge the support of deserted wives : and children was upon the ratepayers. Often, said Mr. Wallace, a man committed • forgery involving a few pounds, and . received months of , imprisonment, bat in cases of desertion, the amount of; maintenance involved ran into thousands of pounds, and there was no effective means of compelling the defaulters to pay. S These viewe <. were supported by members of the board, and it was decided % that a deputation meet the Prime Minister ;on • his return to. the Dominion and impress upon him the importance and urgency of i this matter.; -. ;;v : .V'-V- .-r-' : : "■■■••