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the increases must be submitted to the Board for approval. The range of commodities dealt with is being added to as necessity arises. Prices for meat have been steadied throughout New Zealand by an arrangement entered into with the freezing companies to supply the local trade, where necessary, from the Imperial store. The wholesale price of such meat for local consumption has been fixed on a parity with the Imperial purchase price. When this scheme came into operation there was no necessity to continue the State meat-shops at Auckland, and the Government's connection with the two meat-depots was terminated. Owing to alleged shortage of supplies of petrol, and constant increases in price of this necessary commodity, the Board is endeavouring to encourage its importation, and to control its sale and distribution. Continued complaints as to high prices and short supplies of timber, especially white-pine, have led to the necessity for control of this important industry. The Board has in hand important proposals for the standardization of footwear and woollen goods. It is hoped to give consumers good serviceable boots (quality guaranteed) at reasonable prices. Similarly, certain classes of woollen goods will be standardized as to quality and price. PENSIONS. The gross payments under this head passed through the accounts during the year were — Statutory Allowance under Total Pensions. Finance Act, 1917. £ £ £ Old-age pensions .. 502,085 141,092 643,177 Widows'pensions .. 41,986 15,966 57,952 Military pensions .. 44,840 5,894 50,734 Miners'pensions .. 11,968 1,307 13,275 Totals .. .. £600,879 £164,259* £765,138 * For six months and a half only. The total credits, including £30,147 from national endowments on account of old-age pensions, and £4,703 from gold duty on account of miners' pensions, amounted to £35,438, leaving a net charge against the Consolidated Fund of £729,700. These figures, apart from the increase due to the provision of a war bonus of ss. a week, represent variations from the figures of the previous year as under :— Increase. Decrease. £ £ Old-age pensions . . .. . . . . 21,957 Widows'pensions.. .. .. .. 3,973 Miners'pensions .. .. .. .. 3,928 Military pensions .. .. .. .. 798 The new pensions granted, and the deaths and cancellations recorded during the year, together with the pensions in force at the close of the year, were as stated hereunder:— N » G »* cwSri — *«— 3 ;, n t r M°s. Old-age pensions .. .. 2,146 1,883 263 .. 19,960 Widows'pensions.. .. 509 341 168 2,192 Miners'pensions .. .. 91 59 32 '270 Military pensions .. .. 24 103 .. 79 1 153 The annual values of the pensions in force at the close of the year were Statutory Allowance under Average Pensions. Finance Act, 1917. J-otal. Pension. Old-age pensions .. .. 481,369 259,480 740,849 37 Widows'pensions.. .. 43,872 30,000 73,872 33 Military pensions .. .. 41,508 11,700 53,208 46 Miners'pensions .. .. 10,972 2,600 13,572 50 Totals •• -■ £577,721 £303,780 £881,501 £37