COST OF PENSIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 238, 5 September 1935, Page 6

COST OF PENSIONS.

NINE DIFFERENT VARIETIES. (Bv Telegraph—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON', Sept. 4. New Zealand has nine varieties of pensions in operation. The beneficiaries total 80,20 S and involved expenditure last year of £3,338,345 —an increase of £188,459. Both war pensions and old age pensions increased last year, the principal expenditures being: War pensions, £1,264,110; old age, £1,518,889; widows, £296,965. Family allowances claims allowed during the year totalled over 2000, and there were 12,321 in force, last year's cost being £152,818. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, Sept. 5. The following comparative statement shows the gross payments of all pensions administered by the department for the past two years: As at As at

Totals 77,116 3,149,895 80,208 3,338,354 The cost per head ot European population is shown at £2 2s Sd lor 193334 and £2 5s for 1934-35.

31/3/34. 31/3/35. Total Total PayClass of ments. ments. Pension. No. ' 1933-34. No. 1934-35. War 21,314 1,246.441 21.678 1,264,110 Old ago 37,507 1,350,982 40,141 1,519,889 Widows’ 4,619 302.C20 4,505 296.565 Maori War 86 4.522 65 3,607 Miners 736 56,810 783 58,740 Epidemic 68 3.290 34 1,983 Blind 438 19,306 474 21,227 Boor War 52 2,163 53 2,084 Sundry pensions and annuities 135 11.678 130 12,120 Civil Service Act, 1908 16 5,917 15 5,211 Family a.l lowances 12,145 146,766 12,321 152,818