H. —18.

Legislation. Family Allowances Act. Under the Family Allowances Act, 1926, which came into force on the Ist April, 1927, provision is made, on application by a father of three or more children under fifteen years of age, for an allowance in respect of each child in excess of two at the rate of 2s. weekly, but so that the average weekly iticome from all sources of the family of the applicant, including any allowance under the Act, does not exceed £4, plus 2s. for each child in excess of two. " Family " includes the applicant and his wife (if living with him) and their children under fifteen years of age as defined in the next paragraph. " Child" means a child under the age of fifteen years, and includes a stepchild, a child legally adopted by the applicant or his wife, and a child, not being a member of the applicant's family but being maintained by him, who the Minister decides shall be regarded as a member of the family; but does not include an illegitimate child, a child who is not maintained as a member of the family, a child in respect of whom a pension out of public moneys is payable under the Pensions Act, 1926, the War Pensions Act, 1915, or other enactment, a child of an alien or a child of an Asiatic, whether naturalized or not or whether a British subject by birth or not. An allowance already payable .may be continued after the age of fifteen years in any case where the Minister of Pensions is satisfied that any child is by reason of physical or mental defect totally incapacitated from earning a living. Except in exceptional cases to be determined by the Commissioner of Pensions, all allowances under the Act shall be paid to the wife of the applicant and must be applied towards the maintenance or education of the children. An allowance is not payable unless the applicant, and also his wife (if the allowance is to be paid to her), have been permanently residing in New Zealand for one year, and unless the children in respect of whom the allowance is payable have also been residing in New Zealand for not less than one year or have been born in New Zealand. For the purpose of computing the average weekly income of the family under the Act, there shall be taken into account all moneys or money's worth received within the period of one year immediately preceding the date of the application from all sources by any member of the family, and also interest at the rate of 5 per cent, (or such higher rate as may be actually received) on the value of any real or personal property of any member of the family, except that property on which the family resides or furniture and personal effects in the possession of the family is exempted from this computation. Pensions for the Members of the New Zealand Defence or Naval Forces. Legislation was also embodied in the Finance Act, 1926, making provision for pensions in respect of death or disablement of members of the New Zealand Defence Force or the New Zealand Naval Force at the same rates payable under the War Pensions Act, 1915, where such death or disablement occurs by reason of misadventure suffered in the performance of a, member's duties. Cost of Administration. £ Salaries (including medical officers) .. .. .. .. .. 32,666 Contribution to Post Office for payment of pensions .. .. .. 13,623 Medical fees .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,053 Travelling-expenses of officers and pensioners .. .. .. 3,445 War Pensions Appeal Board (all expenses) .. .. .. .. 3,656 War Pensions Board (salaries) .. .. .. .. .. 2,475 Printing, stationery, and advertising .. .. .. .. 2,152 Postage and telegrams .. .. .. . . .. 2,106 Rent of offices .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,069 Office fittings and requisites .. .. .. . . .. 270 Exchange and commission .. .. .. . . .. .. 125 Telephones .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 237 Overtime .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 171 Fuel, light, cleaning, and water . . .. .. .. .. 120 Sundry repairs and cartage.. .. .. .. . . .. 22 Fees and legal expenses .. . . .. .. .. .. 22 £68,212 Number of officers on 31st March, 1927, 159. Percentage of cost of administration to total payment (£2,750,037), 2-48.

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