§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Mr. G. H. Kearsley, who was returned unopposed as a member of the Kingston Board of Guardians, took his seat at the annual meeting on Monday, 16th April; that he has been officially declared disqualified for election as guardian on the ground that he has received out-relief; that the 67W clerk to the council stated that if Mr. Kearsley refused to accept office he was liable to a fine of £20 and if he acted as a member of the board by speaking or voting it would mean that he was liable to a similar penalty; whether the Government is prepared to make an alteration in the law as to prevent such disqualifications; and if he will take action in the matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThis case had not previously been brought to my notice. It is, of course, obvious that a person who is disqualified by law from acting as a guardian cannot be liable to any penalty for refusing to act; and the clerk's statement to the contrary, if correctly reported, is erroneous. I am not prepared to introduce legislation on this matter.