COST OF PENSIONS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15312, 28 July 1915, Page 2

COST OF PENSIONS.

DOMINION'S LARGE BILL.

OVER HALF A MILLION. '

(BPECIA- TO "THE PRKSS.") WELLINGTON, July 27. The seventeenth annual report of the Pensions Department for the year ended March 31st, 1915, states that the pensions in force for the year showed an increase of 1698, representing a value of £39,188 over those for the year 1913----14, and an increase for the last two years of 4138, representing a value of £104,711. The increase in the gross payments during last year was £66,749, . and during the last two years £98,493. The cost per head °f European population was 9s 9d. The number of old age pensions in force on March 31st, and including 697 Natives, was 19,352, an increase of 1302 on the figures of the previous year. New claims totalling 3625 wero lodged during the year, being 741 less than in the previous year. These, with 876 cases awaiting investigation at the close of tho previous year made a total of -4501, of which 3158 were granted, 653 were rejected, and 690 wer© awaiting investigation. Since the Act came into operation in 1898, 55,721 claims had been lodged, including 6587 at Auckland, 5833 at Christchurch, 4942 at Dunedin, and 3421 at Wellington. The gross expenditure on account of old age pensions during the year totalled £460.814, an increase of on the figures of the previous year. The_ net chargo against the Consolidated Fund for tho year stood at £436,765. The number of widows' pensions at March 31st, including 20 Maoris, was , 1788, an increase of 248 on the figures of the previous year, and the annual liability in regard to these at the close of the year was £34,975. the average pension'payaoie. being £19 lis 2d. The net charge against the Consolidated Fund ' for the year was £31.610. Tho nnmber of military pensions at March 31st, including 283* Maoris, was 1338, an increase of 148 on the figures of tho previous year. The annual liability in regard to this claa; of pensions at the close of the year was £46,968. ! The number of deaths among Europeans during the year outnumbered the new pensions, and it seemed to be almost established that tho usual vote under this head would lie a decreasing one. The gross payments under the head of military pensions during the year totalled £47,616, an increase of £18,169 on the total of the previous ' year. The net charge acainst the Consolidated Fund was £47,607.