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Associated with tlie immigration policy, and to assist in providing accommodation for workers, the Government has established numerous hostels in various districts. This policy has contributed materially in providing labour for essential industries. The Labour and Employment Department operates or is interested in twenty-seven camps and hqstels, and a further ten camps or hostels are projected. SOCIAL SECURITY FUND The total expenditure from the Social Security Fund last year amounted to £42,997,000. Revenue of the Fund, apart from the transfers from Consolidated Fund, amounted to £29,437,000. The credit balance of the Fund at 31st March, 1949, was £8,682,000. For the current year it is estimated that social security taxation will realize £31,600,000, and it is proposed to provide £12,000,000 from the Consolidated Fund. Including provision for increased benefits amounting to £1,800,000, the estimated expenditure from the Fund will amount to £46,224,000. The following gives a summary of the anticipated receipts and payments of the Fund for the current year:— Estimated Expenditure • £ Monetary benefits other than family benefits .. .. 22,260,000 Family benefits .. .. .. .. .. 14,800,000 Medical and hospital benefits .. .. .. 8,059,000 Administration expenses .. .. .. .. 793,000 Emergency benefits .. .. .. .. 312,000 £46,224,000 Estimated Receipts £ Social security charge .. .. .. .. 31,600,000 Miscellaneous receipts .. .. .. .. 36,000 Transfer from Consolidated Fund .. .. .. 12,000,000 £43,636,000 Expenditure in excess of receipts will be met from the cash balance carried forward in the Fund last year. Reciprocity of Social Security Reciprocal arrangements with Australia for payments of social security benefits to persons who move from one country to the other were recently brought into operation. Proposals for a reciprocal agreement with United Kingdom are under discussion, and it is hoped that negotiations can be completed in time for authorizing legislation to be passed this session. This agreement is to apply to age, universal superannuation, widows', and orphans' benefits.

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