8.—4.

miners' pensions was first introduced, in 1915, the period for which a widow's pension was granted was fixed at two years. This was amended in 1919 to continue throughout widowhood, and what we recommend is a reversion to the basis which was adopted when the law was first enacted. The estimated saving for 1932-33, if this recommendation is adopted, would be £6,000, rising thereafter to £12,000 per annum. 72. Under section 448 of the Mining Act, 1926, a duty of 6d. per ounce is imposed on gold produced from quartz-mines. This is apparently looked upon as a contribution by the industry towards the cost to the Dominion of miners' pensions. In view of the large amount involved in miners' pensions, the industry should provide a larger proportion of the cost, and this could be achieved if the present duty were increased. An additional duty of Is. per ounce is estimated to provide £5,000 per annum. Military Pensions (Maori War), £7,350. 73. We recommend that the rate be reduced from £49 per annum to £39 per annum. Estimated saving, £1,225. Widows' Pensions, £340,000. 74. We recommend that the rates be reduced from £1 for the first child and 10s. for each other child to 15s. for the first child and 7s. 6d. for each additional child, with a maximum pension of £3 per week. 75. We recommend also that the present exemption of £78 per annum on account of income from other sources be reduced to £65 per annum, this exemption to be the sole one applicable. At the present time, in addition to the exemption of £78, there are various exemptions, including National Provident Fund benefits, £100 per annum compensation-moneys, any moneys raised by public subscription, and other pensions under the Act. Estimated saving, £95,000. Old-age Pensions, £1,250,000. 76. We recommend that the rate be reduced from 17s. 6d. per week to 15s. per week, and that the income exemption be reduced from £52 per annum to £39 per annum, this exemption to be the sole one applicable. At the present time, in addition to the exemption of £52, there are various other exemptions, such as benefits from the National Provident Fund, moneys raised by public subscriptions, &c. We are of the opinion that one exemption of £39 per annum is reasonable. 77. By way of comparison the following table indicating the rates of pensions payable in New Zealand, Australia, and Great Britain is of interest:— New Zealand : 17s. 6d. per week at the age of sixty-five years for men and sixty for women. Great Britain : 10s. per week at the age of seventy years. Australia : 17s. 6d. per week at the age of sixty-five years. Estimated saving, £200,000. War Pensions. 78. We regard war pensions as being in a class apart, and, despite the need for the greatest possible economy, we are unable to recommend that any general reduction be made in pensions to disabled discharged soldiers. 79. We are of the opinion, however, that the continuance of the economic pension is not justified. This pension is payable under the War Pensions Amendment Act, 1923, as supplementary to war pensions payable, as of right, to a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces and to widows and widowed mothers of members of the Forces in respect of disablement up to 40 per cent, disability or death of a member of the Forces. The economic pension also affects the pension payable to wife and children of a soldier, and the effect is that the wife and children may draw the maximum rate of pension despite the fact that the husband may not be totally incapacitated. A reduction in or the discontinuance of the economic pension ought, therefore, to affect the pension payable to the wife and children. 80. The time has arrived when the economic pension should be discontinued, but, recognizing that this may cause hardship to those receiving economic pensions, we do not feel justified in recommending the total abolition of the pension in one year. We recommend, however, that all economic pensions be reduced by one-half during 1932-33, and that in the following year economic pensions be wholly discontinued. 81. We also recommend an amendment of the Act to provide for the pensions payable to the wife and children of a soldier being proportionately reduced on account of the reduction in the economic pension. Estimated saving, £90,000. 82. Apart from the above, we do not recommend any reduction in pensions payable to disabled soldiers. 83. We consider, however, that all other pensions under the War Pensions Act, 1915, should be reduced. The pensions referred to are those payable to — Dependants of disabled soldiers : Widows (without children) : Widows (with children) : Other dependants of deceased soldiers —Parents, other adult dependants, guardians of children. 84. We recommend a reduction of 10 per cent, in these classes of pensions. Estimated saving, £45,000.

3—B. 4.

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