FAMILY ALLOWANCES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 202, 9 August 1928, Page 8

FAMILY ALLOWANCES

APPLICATIONS BELOW ESTIMATE CLAIMS LODGED TOTALLED 3980 AMOUNT PAID £37,652. [Special to ‘‘Tribune.”! Parlt. Buildings, Aug. 9. The Pensions report says in regard to family allowances: 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. It must be remembered that the experience in connection with the old-age pension and the widows’ pension law was that in the early years of both these schemes 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 to 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.

The claims lodged during the year totalled 3980, of which 3154 were granted and 579 rejected. Of the rejected claims 411 represent cases where the income of the family was in excess of the limit allowed. In 74 cases the application was withdrawn or the necessary evidence was not forthcoming. During the year, of the 3154 granted 25 were voided by the death of the father and 123 were cancelled, leaving 3006 in force at the close of the year. The total children of the 3154 granted and those in excess of two numbered respectively 16,066 and 9758, the average per family being 5.09 and 3.09. The total amount paid during the year was £37,652. The total annual value of all allowances granted was £49.000, and of those in force at the close of the year £46,557. The latter averaged £l5 9/9 per annum each or just a trifle under 6/- weekyl, 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 the beneficiaries are: Labourer 1350 farm hand 298. farmer 290. public servant 122, waterside worker 101.