Old Age Pensions.

Manawatu Herald, 1 August 1903, Page 3

Old Age Pensions.

The number of pensions in force on 31st March last was 12,481, representing a liability of £211,594. Of this number 892 were Maori pensions. The number-of new pensions granted was 1368, including 62 to Maoris. The pensions voided during the year amounted to £209,156. Numerous Court cases had revealed the fact that pensions had been obtained by fraud and misrepresentation. People had received pensions who were not entitled to them, and others bad been drawing a lareer amount of pension than the law allowed. To meet this difficulty new rsgulutions had been put in operation. The machinery, it is reported, is now working satisfactorily. The report states that it is gratifying to find the pension looked Upon as the Legislature intended it jo be—as a right and not as a charity. The importance of carefully investigating Maori pension claims is referred to. Christchurch tops the list with an annual value in pensions of £20,384, Auckland tots up to £16,556, Dunedin to £16,403, and Invercargill to £10,197, Wellington is responsible for only £9382. Th6re are 4620 European pensioners in the North Island and 6969 in. the South Island; 832 Maori pensioners irr the North Island and 60 in the South Island. The cost of administration for the past year was £3805.