WAR PENSIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1920, Page 5

WAR PENSIONS.

OVER 24,000 GRANTED. ' HEAVY EXPENDITURE. 8y Telegraph.—Press Association. > Dargaville, June 2. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, arrived yesterday, and during the day several deputations were received, and in the evening a smoke concert was tendered to the Minister by the Mayor and members of various local bodies. There was a large attendance. The Mayor, Mr. R. E, Hornblow, pre--1 sided. The following interesting figures in regard to war pensions were given by tho Minister. To March 31 last permanent pensions to soldiers numbered 2130, the annual value was £126,510, an average of £59 per annum; temporary pensions numbered 2314, the value was £1,223,342, an average of £52; pensions to dependents numbered 1517, the value was £88,473, an average of £SB. Widows' pensions numbered 2875, and the value was £238,09G, children's pensions 1452, an average of £115; pensions to other dependents of deceased soldiers numbered 5705, the value being £192,347, children 2315, an average of £34. The total number of pensions was 24,571, value £1,869,265, an average per annum of £54. The total payments in respect of war pensions during the year ended March 31 last amounted to £1,773.642. The total amount, paid by the Department lust year was: War pensions, £l,77.",M2; old age. :C732.!H!G; widows', £136,815; Maori war pensions, £45,095; miners' pensions, .•C!o,6'i2—total, £2,705.100. Thi: Minuter loft this morning for Auckland,