WAR PENSIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1917, Page 5

WAR PENSIONS.

COSTING NOW £275,000 ANNUALLY.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. From the passing of the Pensions Act up to March 31 last 4756 claims for pensions had been lodged by soldiers and 2698 by dependents. The number of claims dealt with up to the end of last week was 4677 and 2650 respectively. Of 4677 soldier claimants, 1003 were granted pensions, 3194 temporary pensions, 439 claims declined, seven adjourned and 3 are on hand. Pensions have been granted to 3075 dependents, and temporary pensions to 258, while 252 dependents' claims had been declined, seven adjourned and 58 ar« on hand.

The annual value of 1003 soldiers' pensions is £53,087, an average of £52. The 437 wives' and widows' pensions (including 683 children) have an annual value of £42,916, averaging £9B, while 1638 other dependents' pensions total £47,872, an average of £29. The 345 i temporary pensions are at aggregate rate of £198,320 yearly, or an average of £57 per pension. The grand total of the pensions granted so far is 6530, with a total annual value of £342,1995, averaging £52. From these, however, have to be deducted in round figures 1300 pensioners who have gone off the roll for various reasons.' These represent an annual value of approximately £67,000, making the liability of the State in round figures £275,000.