DESTITUTE PERSONS BILL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14053, 10 November 1909, Page 3

DESTITUTE PERSONS BILL.

The Destitute Persons Bill, introduced in the Legislative Council by the- Hon. Dr. Findlay (according to the official memorandum) repeals, and reenacts with numerous alterations, the Destitute Persons Act, 1908. An amended definition of "near relative," with special references to the effect <>l adoption, and to illegitimate relationships is made. Power to order payment on account of past maintenance as well as maintenance for the future is also included. Then then' is provision as to effect of the death or bankruptcy of persons against whom maintenance orders have been made, and better provisions as to attachment of wages in satisfaction of maintenance orders. The present law is unworkable. The Bill also makes amended provisions as to recovery from relatives of the cost of the maintenance of persons in public or charitable institutions; further provisions making it an indictable offence to desert a wife or child by leaving New Zealand; better provisions enabling a. Magistrate to have evidence taken before another Magistrate in the case of witnesses at a. distance; provisions for giving effect in New Zealand to affiliation and maintenance orders made in Australia. It also repeals Part 11. of the Married Women's Property Act, 1908, and Part VI. of the Diverce and Matrimonial Causes Act, 1908. This \cb overlaps the Destitute Persons Act in an embarrassing manner, and all necessary provisions for the maintenance and summary separation of husbands and wives are now included in this Bill and governed by the same procedure.