THE LATE DR M'ARTHUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 52

THE LATE DR M'ARTHUR.

PETITION BY WIDOW. The Petitions Committee of the Hou.se of Representatives on Wednesday brought up its report on the prayer of Mrs M'Arthur, widow of the late Dr M'Arthur, S.M., for a compassionate allowance in view of her husband's work (says the New Zealand Times). The committee's report recommended that the Government should "give the petition its favourable consideration. Mr W. H. D. Bell expressed pleasure at the committee's report. Owing to the ill-health of the late doctor and his wife, the latter had been left in poor circumstances. The least the country could do was to grant what was prayed for in the petition. Sir Joseph Ward agreed with the last speaker. There was no doubt that the late Dr M'Arthur was underpaid for the great work ho performed. Ho would most cordially support the report of the committee. Mr T. H. Davey said that much more deserving cases had- been "turned right down" by the committee. He understood the petitioner had £2OOO to her credit "It is not a pleasant thing to say," said Mr Davey, "but in view of other cases £SOO should not be added to £2OOO while there are poorer and more needy cases getting nothing. The Government should take care where it places its money." Mr P. C. Webb atrreed with Mr Davey. He recollected the widow of a miner who died from miners' complaint being refused help. He did not believe the poorer people had had a fair deal from the House. It seemed that unless there was influence it was no use petitioning Parliament. He hoped that deserving cases would be dealt with by the House before others. The report of the committee was agreed to.