H—9

RECIPROCITY WITH AUSTRALIA A new reciprocal agreement with Australia covering age, invalids', widows', family, unemployment, and sickness benefits came into operation on Ist July, 1949. Under this agreement the above benefits are available to persons who take up permanent residence in either country and who at any time have lived in the other country. Generally the qualifications for benefits under the reciprocal agreement are the same as for the corresponding benefits in the country in which the applicant has taken up permanent residence, and for the purposes of the agreement residence or birth in one country is regarded as residence or birth in the other. Applicants for age, invalids', or widows' benefits must satisfy the residential qualifications of both countries, and male applicants for age benefits must be sixty-five years of age or over. Apart from the above, benefits under the reciprocal agreement are assessed and paid in the same way as other benefits in the country in which the beneficiary is residing. The total number of reciprocal benefits in force at 31st March, 1950, was 341, compared with 270 at 31st March, 1949, when reciprocity applied only to age and invalids' benefits. Particulars of benefits paid under the reciprocal agreement to permanent residents of New Zealand are shown in the following table :

Table 14—Reciprocity with Australia (Permanent Residents of New Zealand): Benefits Granted, &c., and Expenditure, 1949-50

There were 4 dependent wives included in grants of sickness benefit. Under the new agreement beneficiaries ordinarily resident in New Zealand or Australia who go to the other country for a period of temporary residence may continue to receive their benefits during such period of temporary residence. In these cases the benefits are paid through the Government of the country which the beneficiaries are visiting, and the amount spent recovered from the Government of the country in which the beneficiaries normally reside. Particulars of New Zealand benefits paid in Australia and Australian pensions paid in New Zealand are shown in the following tables:—

Table 15—Reciprocity with Australia (Agency Payments in Australia): Number of New Zealand Benefits Paid in Australia by Australian Government as Agent for New Zealand Government, 1949-50

12

— Age Benefit. Widow's Benefit. Family Benefit. Invalid's' Benefit. Unemployment Benefit. Sickness Benefit. Total. Number granted 90 18 156 9 12 285 Number declined 11 1 5 3 1 21 Number terminated 73 54 7 5 139 Number in force at 31st March, 211 23 79 21 7 341 1950 Dependent wives included in 4 3 1 8 number in force Expenditure £24,882 £1,446 £2,456 £2,470 £257 £31,511

— Age Benefit. Widow's Benefit. Family Benefit. Invalid's Benefit. Unemployment Benefit. Sickness Benefit. Total. Number authorized 98 14 19 2 1 134 Number terminated 67 7 16 1 91 Number in force 31 7 3 1 i 43 None of the above agencies included additional payment for a dependent wife.