H.—lB.

able to place some 350 disabled ex-soldiers in jobs, of which approximately 20 per cent, represented permanent positions, the balanoe being in semi-permaneni oi casual work. With the experience gained sine,, the scheme came into operation in July, 1931, the committees are unanimous in coming to the oonclusion that Letter results for disabled ex-soldiers can lie achieved by creating new avenues of employment suitable for tin- individual need and particular physical disability of the man rather than to continue exploiting the ordinary channels of labour, which through the lack of physical elKciency are practically closed to this class of disabled ex-soldier. Recognizing this, the Christchurch Committee set up a scheme of disabled soldiers' handicrafts, whereby the disabled men manufactured articles at home and sold them through Iwo shops in the cil v. Later a factory was established, and these ire now making basketware, seagrass furniture, leather cases and bags, toy novelties, and wood worfc of all descriptions. In Dunedin a factory, manned by disabled ex-soldiers, operates under the trade 11:111 ' Disabled Soldiers' Products, and turns out all classes of fibre and leather cases, and of leather work generally. The system in Wellington is somewhat similar to that in Christchurch, whereby goods mostly ol leather, w I. and metal are manufactured at home and sold through the agency of two shops, the establishment of a factory being under consideration. In the Auckland District schemes lor the manufacture and sale of wire and metal work and basketware are in operation in two towns, and it is hoped that a scheme similar to those op,.rating in the South will shortly be introduced in Auckland City itself. Other avenues which the committees are investigating arc tobacco-culture, seedraising, and the manufacture of New Zealand mementos. In Christchurch fifteen disabled men have been placed on Angora-rabbit farms and it is expected that these will shortly become self-supporting. " lr " l,rl< °f fc ie committees and the employment officers, in the face of the adverse conditions of employment aiul the lack of finance, is to be highly commended on the results shown.

Statistics in regard to Civil Pensions.

5

Old-age. Widows'. Maori War. Miners". | Blind. Epidemic. Pensions in force at 31st March, 1932 .. 32,317 4,709 143 408* J* 360 111 New pensions granted, 1932-33 .. .. 5,534 731 .. 52 Deaths during 1932-33 .. .. .. 2,262 3 36 52 9 Cancellations during 1932-33 .. 657 750 ] 296 8 13 Net increase or decrease .. .. .. +2,615 —22 —37 —248 +35 —13 Pensions in force at 31st March, 1933 .. 34,932 4,687 106 133f }" 395 98 Total children in receipt of pension, 31st .. 9 675 127 March, 1933 Total European pensioners sixty-five years and * 27,687 over at 31st March, 1933 Total female European pensioners sixty years 5,592 to sixty-four years at 31st March, 1933 Percentage of European pensioners to total 2-3 European population Total Maori pensioners .. .. .. 1,621 353 37 41 New claims lodged .. .. .. 6,965 827 .. 152 74 New claims rejected .. .. .. • 1,416 112 .. 61 20 Number of children on whose account pension .. 1,586 granted Annual liability at 31st March, 1933 .. £1,305,772 £307,926 £5,194 £56,618 £18,422 £3 690 Average pension per annum .. .. £37 7 7 £65 13 11 £49 0 0 £76 4 1 £46 12 9 £37 13 1 Gross expenditure for year 1932-33 .. £1,271,157 £311,317 £5,831 £62,563 £18.065 £4,197 Increase or decrease on figures of previous —£5,950 —£28,845 —£1,751 —£7,222 +£1,355 — year Cost per head of European population .. 17s. 4d. 4s. 3d. Id. 10-2d. 3d. 0-7d. Credit from national endowment .. .. £22,259 Credit from gold duty .. .. .. .. .. .. £3 719 Refunds paid to Public Account .. .. £577 £69 £8 £5 £2 £5 Number of pensioners in homes and hospitals 1,102 .. 6 8 96 Amount paid to controlling authorities of £45,179 j .. £327 £404 £5,220 these Number of pensioners in mental hospitals .. 138 .. .. 2 2 Amount paid to Mental Hospitals Depart- £4,814 .. .. £83 £78 ment on account of these Unpaid instalments as at 31st March, 1933 .. £4,867 £2,056 £69 £319 £22 £16 Instalments forfeited and subsequently paid .. £1,394 £481 £4 £43 £18 £9 Average of family under fifteen years .. .. 2 • 06 Total claims lodged to date .. .. 127,082 17,537 1,893 2,525 706 " Total claims established .. .. .. 99,891 1 14,934 1,698 2,055 521 972 Total claims rejected .. .. .. 26,513 2,541 195 458 170 Total number of children benefited.. .. .. 36,239 Total deaths .. .. .. .. 52,647 127 1,586 803 90 14 Total guardians appointed .. .. .. 328 Total cancellations .. .. .. 12,312 10,120 6 509 36 860 Grand total paid to date .. .. .. £20,506,146 £3,940,937 £596,731 £636,821 £110,333 £467,654 Total credit from gold duty .. .. .. .. .. £54,742 Total amount paid on account funeral expenses .. .. .. £7,187 Total credit from national endowment .. £718,137 ; * Miners. t Widows. Total European population at 31st March, 1933, 1,465,833.