H.—lB.

1933. NEW ZEALAND.

THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PENSIONS DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1933.

Presented to both l/ouscs of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 90 of the Pensions Art, 1926.

The Commissioner of Pensions to the Hon. the Minister op Pensions. Sir, — Pensions Department, Wellington, Ist September, 1933. I have the honour I" furnish herewith, for the information of Parliament, the report of the Department relating fco war, old-age, widows', Maori War, miners', epidemic, blind, and sundry pensions, and family allowances for the year ended 31st March, 1933. The following comparative statement relates to the annual value and gross payments of all pensions administered by the Department for the past two years : —

Pensions in Force: Annual Value and Total Payments.

Cost per head of European population : 1931-32, £2 2s. sd. ; 1932-33, £2 Is. 4d.

I—H. 18.

As at 31st March, 1932. Aβ at 31st March, 1933. Class of Pension. Total ~T^T~ Number. Annual Value. Payments, Number. Annual Value. Payments, 1931-32. 1932-33. £ £ £ £ War.. .. .. .. 21,041 1,242,480 1,261,778 21,104 ! 1,200,468 1,217,586 Old-age .. .. .. 32,317 1,353.360 1,277,107 34,932 1,305,772 1,271,157 Widows' .. .. .. 4,709 345,471 340,162 4,687 307,926! 311,317 Maori War .. .. .. 143 7,007 7,582 106 5,194 5,831 Miners' .. .. .. 991 74,035 69,785 743_ r>(>,f>]H 62,563 Epidemic .. .. .. I 111 4,'JOS 5,580 98 ' 3,6$0 4,197 Blind .. .. .. 360 17,179 | 16,710 395 18,422 18,065 Boer War .. .. .. 56 2,279 | 2,483 55 2,157 I 2,176 Sundry pensions and annuities.. 115 9,383 j 9,388 120 10,090 9,626 Civil Service Act, 1908 .. 23 6,857 7,861 20 6,142 6,453 Family allowances .. .. 7,332 101,608 90,100 10,320 131,118] 122,810 Totals .. .. 67,198 3,164,657 3,088,536 72,580 3,047,597 3,031,781