FINANCIAL AID.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1898, 2 November 1918, Page 3

FINANCIAL AID.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR PAYMENTS. For some time past a now system has been in operation- in connection with the payment of grants made by the Soldiers’ Financial Assistance Board. Previously the board dealt with applications for assistance, and when grants had been approved and the soldiers had entered camp the payments were made by the V ar Expenses Branch of the Defence Department. Now the board lias undertaken the full administration of matters pertaining to financial assistance, for the section of the War Expenses Brandi concerned with the payments has been amalgamated with the board. Thus all operations are co-ordinated under one head, and duplication of files and records is avoided. The new arrangement has resulted in greater despatch and facility in dealing with grants, especially when changes of circumstances necessitate the ro-opening of cases or the reference of applications back to the board. By the avoidance of duplication and inter-departmental communication the board has been enabled to deal with a greatly increasing volume of business with the same staff as formerly. Figures for September give an indication of the magnitude of the work which has fallen upon the hoard. There is a slight falling-off as compared with the previous month in new applications, and also in the number of cases actually considered by the board. The applications dealt with were 1,755, including 265 reconsidered cases. Of the applications, 162 were withdrawn, 287 were declined, 15 deferred for further information from applicants, and 1,291 grants were made. Since its inception, in April, 19.17, the board has considered 16,942 applications. During the month payments amounting to £12,629 4s 3d were made in respect of the following obligations (shillings and pence omit ted) :

IJcnl 4200 Interest 1822 Instalments 214 059 Life Insurance 5142 Lod<?c Fees 25 National Provident Fund 30 Confinement and Surgical opera lions 211 Miscellaneous 109