ALLOWANCE STOPPED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23355, 25 May 1939, Page 8

ALLOWANCE STOPPED

TOBACCO AND. MATCHES MEMORIAL HOME INMATES [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN COREESjPOXDEXTj GISBORXE, "Wednesday "There will be trouble about that," commented the chairman, of the Cook Hospital Board,- Mr. M. T. Trafford. when a letter was placed before the board in which it was intimated that inmates of the Memorial Home must be allowed 7s 6d a week out of social security payments collected on their behalf by the board. The chairman's view was shared by other members of the-board, who considered that with an income of 7s 6d a week some of the old people in the home might "cut up." It was pointed out that men at the home now received 2s 6d and an allowance of tobacco and matches, and it was feared that the results of such sudden affluence would make themselves felt in outbreaks of immoderation. Some members of the board questioned whether there was no discretion resting on the board, but they were informed that the payment of 7s 6d was a matter of law. Although he thought there were subjects in the home to whom the spending of the, larger sum, each week undoubtedly woiild be harmful. Mr. D. W. Colt man, M.P., suggested -that if anj inmate of the home misbehaved as a result of the increased allowance fie board should cut his allowance • and report the matter to the social security authorities for appropriate action. The board decided, on the motion of the chairman, to withdraw in the meantime the present allowance of tobacco and matches.