8.—6.

XIX

Civilian T.B. patients are also admitted to Defence sanatoria on the recommendation of the Public Health Department. In addition, a hospital has been established at Narrow Neck, Devonport, Auckland, where various chest complaints are treated. The men in this institution are kept under strict observation to determine their fitness for sanatorium treatment or discharge. Limbless Men. —There are 930 limbless men under the care of the Department who are entitled to two new artificial limbs and free repairs thereto when required. These men, with few exceptions, have now been supplied with one limb, and the issue of a second limb has been approved. Defence Expendituee. Defence expenditure, in common with that of other Departments, is affected by increased wages, costs of material, freights, &c. — e.g., the annual supply of small-arms ammunition, which was obtained for £28,000 before the war, now costs £100,000. The expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund for Defence administration, including ordnance and supplies services and the maintenance and training of the Territorial Force, during the financial year ended 31st March, 1920, amounted to £502,465, or £26,260 less than the amount appropriated. Wab Expendituee. At the end of the financial year 1919-20 the war expenditure for this Dominion, including gratuities and advances outstanding, was £76,956,826, full details of the various items of which will be placed before you later. The payment of war gratuities at the 31st March, 1920, absorbed £4,917,638 out of £5,552,000 provided for last session, leaving a balance of £634,362 still to be paid. Betrospective married, children's, widowed mothers', and other dependants' allowances have absorbed the sum of £706,804. Liabilities in connection with sea transport of returning troops are estimated at £250,000. The medical treatment of returned soldiers for war disabilities constitutes a large item of estimated, expenditure for the current year, but this expenditure is, however, being gradually reduced. Soldiees' Financial Assistance Boabd.. Although the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board has practically completed its operations, a few cases of hardship are still being brought under its notice. During the year the Board considered 2,551 cases, including 819 cases previously considered. Of this number 2,003 were declined or withdrawn, 30 deferred, and 518 grants authorized. The sum of £54,063 was actually disbursed during the year ended 31st March, 1920, while the total assistance granted to the same date was £261,218. Bepateiation. Up to the 31st March, 1920, the expenditure incurred by the Bepatriation Department, in re-establishing discharged soldiers in civil life amounted to £1,041,366, of which sum £988,144 was actually paid to or on behalf of the soldier, the balance, £53,222, representing cost of administration. The assistance rendered by the Department may be classified as follows : — (a.) Financial assistance for the establishment or acquisition of businesses and for the purchase of household furniture, tools of trade, &c. (&.) Training: The provision of facilities for the training of partially disabled soldiers, apprentices, &c, and for their sustenance during such training. (c.) Employment: Assistance in obtaining employment and free transportation thereto, together with free medical examination if such is necessary. Unemployment sustenance allowances are paid to applicants for employment whom the Department cannot place within one week from the date of registration.