H.—1.8.

1932. NEW ZEALAND.

THIRTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PENSIONS DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1932.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 90 of the Pensions Act, 1926.

The Commissioneb of Pensions to the Hon. the Minister of Pensions. giE, — Pensions Department, Wellington, 31st August, 1932. Ī have the honour to furnish herewith, for the information of Parliament, the report of the Department relating to war, old-age, widows', Maori War, miners', epidemic, blind, and sundry pensions, and family allowances for the year ended 31st March, 1932. The following comparative statement relates to the annual value and gross payments of all pensions administered by the Department for the past two years: —•■

Pensions in Force: Annual Value and Total Payments.

Cost per head of European population : 1930-31, £2 Os. 3d. ; 1931-32, £2 2s. stf.

I—H. 18.

As at 31st March, 1931. As at 31st March, 1932. Class of Pension. Total TotaT~ Number. Annual Value. Payments, Number. Annual Value. Payments, 1930-31. 1931-32. £ £ £ £ War.. .. .. .. 21,025 1,236,188 1,245,499 21,041 1,242,480 1,261,778 Old-age .. .. .. 28,995 1,212,673 1,158,788 32,317 1,353.360 1,277,107 Widows' .. .. .. 4,566 336,039 325,998 4,709 345,471 340,162 Maori War .. .. .. 170 8,330 9,102 143 7,007 7,582 Miners' .. .. .. 876 62,575 58,441 991 74,035 69,785 Epidemic .. .. .. 138 6,229 6,322 111 4,998 5,580 Blind .. .. .. 330 16,072 15,796 360 17,179 16,710 Boer War .. .. .. 59 2,552 2,620 56 2,279 2,483 Sundry pensions and annuities.. 114 9,301 10,624 115 9,383 9,388 Civil Service Act, 1908 .. 27 8,389 9,251 23 6,857 7,861 Family allowances .. .. 4,617 69,930 63,608 7,332 101,608 90,100 Totals .. .. 60,917 2,968,278 2,906,049 67,198 3,164,657 3,088,536