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1917. NEW ZEALAND.

EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE PENSIONS DEPARTMENT, FOR THE TWO YEARS ENDED 31st MARCH, 1917.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 70 of the Pensions Act, 1913.

The Commissioner op Pensions to the Hon. the Minister of Pensions. Sir, — Pensions Department, Wellington, 31st July, 1917. I have the honour to furnish herewith, for the information of Parliament, the report of the Department relating to old-age, widows', and military (Maori War) pensions for the two years ended 31st March, 1917. The operations of the Miner's Phthisis Act, 1915, and the War Penwers Act, 1915, for the same period are also embodied. The following summaries show at a glar.ce the position at the close of each year :—

Pensions in Force and Annual Value.

Gross Payments. 1915-16. 1916-17. £ £ Old-age .. .. .. .. .. .. 479,339 480,230 Widows.. .. .. .. .. .. 36,357 38,016 Military .. .. .. .. .. .. 48,273 45,674 Miners .. .. ... .. .. .. 1,509 8,066 War .. .. .. .. „. .. 13,910 180,389 £579,388 £752,375 Cost per head of population .. .. ..10s. 6d. 13s. Bd.

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At 31st March, 1916. At 31st March, 1917. Number. Value. Number. Value. Hd-age Widows lilitary liners £ 19,804 484,232 1,890 37,042 1,323 47,628 120 5,445 1,191 55,407 19,697 2,024 1,232 238 5,169 £ 480,559 39,386 44,352 9,984 257,771 Par .. 24,328 £629,754 28,360 £832,052