VICTIM OF THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20338, 20 August 1929, Page 12

VICTIM OF THE WAR.

PAYMENT OF PENSIONS.

FALSE DECLARATION MADE.

NO PENALTY IMPOSED. No penalty was imposed by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday when A. S. Fiimin was charged with making a false declaration under tho Pensions Act, by which he obtained £l3. For accused Mr. Butler pleaded guilty.

An oliicial of tho Pensions Department stated accused had been granted a war disability pension of 30s a week, and later an economic pension of 30s a week. When pensioners applied for an economic grant they were asked to sign a form each week to show that they had earned nothing. One month accused had earned £2l and another month £ls, while ho stated in the declarations that he was receiving nothing. Accused was still in receipt of tho disability pension of 30s. Mr. Butler said accused had been permanently disabled at tho war, his right leg being practically useless. Before tho war bo had been on a farm, but sinco had been unable to do any steady work. Whenever ho got any permanent employment his leg would break down, and ho would be forced to go into hospital. He had been receiving only 10s a week, but in October, as a result of an appeal to tho War Pensions Board, this had been increased to 30s, but only one month's arrears were granted. Ifo then applied in February for an economic pension, and when ho was asked to sign a declaration to show that tho previous month ho had earned nothing he did so, as ho was in financial straits. Owing to great pressure ho signed and signed again the following month, as ho feared that if ho lost tho position bo held he would bo destitute.

In .April accused had (old tho department that ho had obtained permanent work, continued counsel, and he. then gavo up his economic pension. When ho ceased to draw it tho department made inquiries and found out tho actual position. Accused had a keen sense of responsibility to his aged parents, whom ho supported, and had never married, while ho was a non-smoker and a teetotaller.

Chief-Detect ivo Hammond remarked that the maximum penalty under tho Act was £IOO, but the caso was brought as a public warning. Accused was convicted and ordered to refund tho amount, £l3, that he had obtained by the false declarations.