Assistance to the mother under sections 44, 61, and 63' of the poor law does not have this result, neither does aid from the relief funds or the communal section of the Copenhagen relief society in case of sickness of the mother or children.

The contribution may, in exceptional cases, be extended to the 18th year.

SEC. 2. The subsistence allowance (Underholdsbidrag) is payable to the widow concerned quarterly, eventually monthly, in advance; the first time for the quarter or the month which follows the death of the husband, and the last time for the quarter or month in which the aid ceases.

If the widow dies who has had support under this law the contribution for the support and education of the child is payable to the guardian of the child, or according to the decision of the communal authorities, to the person who after the mother's death exercises the right of rearing the child. The council of guardians (Værgeraadet) of the place where the child lives can, after the mother's death, decide at any time that a guardian be appointed for the child. Appointment of such guardian, who has the right of a parent over the child, is made by the superior magistracy upon nomination by the council of guardians. A guardian is always to be appointed if the allowance is not being used for the exclusive benefit of the child.

If a substantial bettering of the child's economic position occurs, the support can be withdrawn.

In the same class with the children of widows mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 3, are to be regarded children of deceased widows who were not receiving aid, but who were eligible for it; also children of widowers who at the time of their death fulfilled the conditions prescribed for widows by the law relating to support. The amount of the allowance is determined by the same rules which apply to widows.

SEC. 3. If a child is under the care of the poor relief or has been taken under the care of a council of guardians' (Law No. 72, April 14, 1905) it does not come within the provisions of this law.

SEC. 4. Half of the expense of the subsistence allowance herein provided for is borne by the State, the remainder by the commune in which the widow concerned or, after the widow's death, the child (compare section 2, paragraph 2), has her permanent abode. Country districts grouped with towns with respect to poor relief are referred to the said town.

SEC. 5. In regard to the expense which a commune, in accordance with the rules in section 4, incurs in the capacity of residence commune, it can (provided the widow in question is entitled to support elsewhere) claim reimbursement of three-fourths of the amount from the said commune owing support. If there is no commune which can be regarded as under liability for support, said expense shall be made good out of the public funds which in accordance with existing law are chargeable in place of the commune owing support.

SEC. 6. The acquirement by a widow of right of support in the commune of residence is regarded as pending for the period in which a subsistence allowance (Underholdsbidrag) is granted under this law from the public funds to the children concerned.

SEC. 7. At the same time that the communal authorities, in accordance with section 32 of Law No. 85 of May 15, 1903, transmit to the minister of the interior

1 Money expended by the general community for the education, maintenance, and support of the blind, deaf, dumb, feeble-minded, and idiots is not classed as poor relief. Certain kinds of medical relief are also exempt from the civil disabilities attaching to poor relief.

The Værgeraad, a special council of guardians in each commune which looks after the

and the county council, respectively,' the statement of certain expenditures therein mentioned (a, b, c, and d) there shall be forwarded a statement of what the commune has expended under the present law (sections 4 and 5). At the apportionment of State aid pursuant to sections 31, 32, and 33 of the first-mentioned law this amount shall be included in the account.

SEC. 8. The management of all matters pertaining to a subsistence allowance (Underholdsbidrag) in accordance with the provisions of this law rests upon the communal authority of the commune in which the widow concerned or, after the widow's death, the child (compare section 2, paragraph 2) has her permanent abode.

Sec. 9. The communal authority which receives a request for a subsistence allowance (Underholdsbidrag) must carefully investigate the economic conditions of the home in question to determine the need and other circumstances in order to decide what aid in each particular case shall be granted and how it shall be paid out. It is furthermore the duty of this authority to exercise supervision in order that the subsistence allowance shall be expended in a proper manner for the benefit of the children concerned. (Compare section 2, paragraph 2.) It can determine that food or clothes shall be purchased with the subsistence money for the child.

2

In case a particular or general regulation of the communal authority with respect to the use of the aid is not complied with, the superior authority is to be informed of the matter.

If it shall be deemed desirable, private societies may cooperate in the work of investigation and supervision.

SEC. 10. The payment of the subsistence allowance (sce sec. 2) shall be made in advance out of the treasury of the commune of residence concerned, after which the expenditure of the communal board is to be reported to the county for part repayment pursuant to section 4 of this act. With respect to the eventual reimbursement from the commune liable for support (sec. 5) the regulations in section 48 of Law No. 67 of Apr. 9, 1891, apply.

The county is to report to the minister of the interior as soon as possible after the end of the fiscal year what amount in each commune has been expended for subsistence allowances in accordance with the present law.

SEC. 11. Complaints in regard to the decisions of the communal authorities with respect to the provisions of this law shall not be made before the courts but before the superior authority, whose decision if the complaint is not sustained is final, but in the contrary case, appeal may be taken by the communal authority to the minister of the interior.

If it comes to the knowledge of the superior authorities through the inspection of the accounts or otherwise that there is being granted aid (Understøttelse) to unqualified persons or the provisions of the law in other respects are not being complied with, decision in the case rests likewise upon them, which decisions may, however, be referred to the minister of the interior.

In the case of disputes between the communes themselves with respect to the obligations imposed upon them in accordance with this law, the chairman of the county council (Amtmand) of the superior magistracy to which the commune belongs, against which the obligation is urged, has the power of decision; and if the dispute relates to Copenhagen, the minister of the interior.

The decisions of the chairmen of the county councils (Amtmaendene) may be referred to the minister of the interior.

1 In rural communes the Kommunal bestyrelsen are under the supervision of their Amtraad or county council; in provincial towns under the minister of the interior.

2 The Amtraad or county council. The Amtmand, the chairman of this council, a State

SEC. 12. The minister of the interior shall prepare detailed instructions respecting the drawing up of the forms for requests for subsistence allowance (Underholdsbidrag) as well as regarding the accounts necessary to be kept, examination of accounts and so forth.

SEC. 13. The Government is empowered by royal proclamation to let this act come into force in the Faroes with such modifications as the special conditions in these islands may make expedient.

SEC. 14. This act takes effect on the 1st of January, 1914. Widows who at that time are receiving aid from the poor relief (Fattigraesen), relief funds (Hjaelpekasse), or the communal section of the Copenhagen relief society, shall not on that account be debarred from coming under the provisions of this act.

1 Supersedes the widows' pension act of 1911 1912 (1912, no. 21).

An Act To consolidate and amend certain enactments relating to old-age (widows) and other pensions. (11th October, 1913; 5th November, 1914.)

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1. This act may be cited as the Pensions Act, 1913.

2. In this act, if not inconsistent with the context

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Pensions appointed under this act: .

“Income” means any moneys, valuable consideration, or profits derived or received by any person for his own use or benefit in any year, by any