H.—lB
The following figures relate to the war and other pensions paid by the Department during the year on behalf of other Governments :—
MEDICAL TREATMENT. Following the decision of the Government that there should be closer co-ordination between the pensioning and medical treatment of discharged soldiers, the Medical Branch of the Defence Department dealing with the medical treatment of discharged members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force was amalgamated with this Department as from the Ist July, 1922. The following return shows the number of applications for treatment received from war pensioners since the date of the amalgamation, and the number receiving treatment at 31st March, 1923 :•■■■
The, gross expenditure for the nine months following the date of amalgamation is as set out below. The amount is a charge against the vote " War Expenses " : — £ Salaries .. .. . . . . .. .. . . . . 3,969 Maintenance in hospitals and out-patient treatment .. .. .. 61,856 Artificial limbs, surgical appliances, and shelters for tubercular patients . . 3,511 Travelling expenses of patients . . .. .. .. . . 2,255 Expenses of Artificial Limbs Factory, Wellington . . . . . . 839 Funeral expenses .. .. . . .. . . .. . . 334 Medical fees .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 145 Freight and cartage .. . . .. .. . . . . 47 Telephones ..... . . . . . . . . .. 33 Sundry .. . . '. . . ... . . . . .. . . 2 £72,991
WAR PENSIONS. Total Claims lodged to Date.
2
Government. Number at Class of Pension. 31st Maroh, 1923. Annual Value. Avorage Ponsion. Payments, 1922-23. Great Britain Australia India South Africa War .. .. 2,036 Army and civil . . 379 War .. .. 580 Army and civil . . 85 War .. .. 4 Civil .. .. 25 War .. .. Nil Civil .. .. 34 £ 111,770 15,990 26,906 17,638 225 2.428 Nil 6,823 £ 54 42 46 207 56 97 Nil 200 £ j- 129,768 26,857 19,137 235 2,170 77 7,790 Canada Crown colonies .. Totals. .. 3,143 £181,780 £186,034
Receiving Treatment at ', 1923. 11 sit March, Medical District. Number of Applications. in Patients. Out Patients. 117 363 160 253 206 159 87 139 Total. Auckland Wellington Jhristchureh Dunedin 703 693 350 395 480 413 365 226 2,141 570 9.1.4 1,484
Erom Soldiers. From Dependants. From 1st September, 1915, to 31st March, 1916 Year 1916-17 Year 1917-18 Year 1918-19 Year 1919-20 Year 1920-21 Year 1921-22 Year 1922-23 798 3,958 8,148 14,749 11,493 1,081 367 198 68.1 2,017 3,754 5,292 3,990 1,878 891 635 Totals .. 40,792 19,138