FAMILY ALLOWANCE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 9 August 1928, Page 7

FAMILY ALLOWANCE

SLOW START WITH SCHEME,

LAST YEAR’S CLAIMS.

TOTAL AMOUNTS PAID.

i (By Telegraph—Special to The Star.) WELLINGTON. Aug. 9. A feature of the Pensions Department annual report is that for the first time since the inception qf the family allowance scheme, details qf its operation are disclosed. The Commissioner of Pensions, whose estimate of the 'annual oost, framed when the Bill was under discussion, amounted to about £120,000 annually, states that the estimate of the number of applications which Would be made has so far not been realised. At the end of the first year allowances had been granted-in respect of 10,000 children in excess of two in a family, representing in round figures 3000 families, the total children of which numbered 16,000. He adds : It must be remembered that- the experience in connection with the pld a.ge pension and widows’ pension law was that in the early years of both there was, on the part of certain classes of people, either a lack of knowledge of the legislation passed to benefit- them, or a diffidence tp take -advantage of such legislation. In regard to the family allowance, at least another full year’s working will be required to enable anything like reliable estimates to be adduced. Nearly 4000 claims were lodged during the year of which 3154 were granted and 579 were rejected. Of the rejected claims 411 represent cases where the income of the family va.s in excess of the. limit- allowed during the year. Of the 3154 granted 25 were voided by the death of the father and 123 were cancelled, leaving 3006 in force. The total amount paid daring the year was £37,652 and the annual value of all allowances granted was £49,000, and of those in force at the close of the year £46,557. The lot- # ter averaged £ls 9s 9d per annum each* or just a trifle under. 6s weekly, the maximum for three children. ..Of the claims dealt with 302 were from Maoris, 265 being granted and 37 rejected. The ; principal occupations of the fathers of beneficiaries are labourers 1350, farm hands 298, farmers 290, public servants 122, waterside workers 101. *-T