Captain COOTEasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the hardship at present undergone by the wives of pensioners whose husbands have deserted them; that these women, through no fault of their own, are unable to draw an allowance or grant of any sort, owing to the fact that their husband's signature cannot be secured to the necessary wife certificate; and, although this hardship is the result of misconduct of the pensioner and is not the fault of the State, whether he will consider the amendment of the Regulations of the special grants committee so as to include such cases or, alternatively, make arrangements to provide for the possibility of these women tracing their defaulting husbands and securing the necessary signature?
§ Major TRYONThe wife's and children's allowances granted to a dis-1438W abled man in addition to his pension, are, like the pension itself, apportioned to the degree of disablement, and cease to be payable on the man's death. If the man disappears and the Ministry cannot re-board him or even ascertain whether he is still living, it is impossible to continue payment of the pension and allowances.