H. 18

Organization.

The increased number of pensioners consequent upon the widening of the scope of the pensions legislation necessitated a review of the number of pension districts into which the Dominion is divided. As a result, new branch offices at Whangarei and New Plymouth are being opened, bringing the total number of branches to fourteen. The extended activities of the Department made necessary an increase of staff, and this has rendered the accommodation of the Department's offices, particularly the branch offices, inadequate. Several branch offices have already been moved to more commodious and convenient premises, and arrangements are being made, where necessary, to suitably accommodate the staffs of the remaining branches. Better provision is being made also for the convenience of the public, and, where possible, special rooms are provided to ensure privacy when applicants are being interviewed.

Statistics in regard to Civil Pensions.

6

—— Old-age. i Widows'. Maori War. Miners'. "Invalidity. Epidemic. Pensions in force at 31st March, 1936 .. 43,309 4,369 43 134J J New pensions granted, 1936-37 .. .. 14,388 1,117 .. Deaths during 1936-37 .. .. .. 2,974 7 7 58 201 Cancellations during 1936-37 .. . . 589 726 .. 20 107 7 Net increase or decrease .. .. .. +10,825 +384 — 7 +189 +6,984 — 7 Pensions in force at 31st March, 1937 .. 54,134 4,753 179J / 3 Total children in receipt of pension, 31st .. 9,666 .. 415 2,123 March, 1937 Total European pensioners, males sixty-five 51,779 years and over, and females sixty years and over Total Maori pensioners .. .. .. 2,318 458 12 277 Total Asiatic pensioners .. .. .. 37 .. . . . . 2 § Pensioners under section 7 (b), Pensions Act, 71 1926 Percentage of European pensioners to total 3-4 European population New claims lodged .. .. 17,191 1,676 375 11,337 New claims rejected .. .. 2,008 494 107 2,956 Number of children on whose account pension .. 2,416 granted Annual liability at 31st March, 1937 .. £3,068,293 £464,879 £2,106 £87,838 £478,-165 £76 Average pension per annum . . .. £56 13 7 £97 16 2 £58 10 0 £84 9 2 £63 16 8 £25 6 4 Gross expenditure for year 1936-37 .. £2,413,103 £412,280 £1,972 £83,253 £284,760 £253 Increase or decrease on figures of previous +£694,502 +£100,416 -£605 +£15,419 +£261,769 -£654 year Cost per head of European population .. £1 12s. Id. 5s. 6d. 0'3d. Is. l-3d. 3s. 9-5d. O-04d. Credit from national endowment .. .. £40,940 Refunds paid to Public Account .. .. £711 £151 .. £14 £132 Number of pensioners in homes and hospitals 1,596 .. 4 15 829 Amount paid to controlling authorities of £67,324 .. £186 £1,114 £33,440 these Number of pensioners in mental hospitals .. 177 3 .. 1 Amount paid to Mental Hospitals Depart- £8,731 £70 .. £65 ment on account of these Unpaid instalments as at 31# March, 1937 .. £9,340 £2,057 £33 £133 £3,659 Instalments forfeited and subsequently paid.. £3,157 £574 £8 £66 £3,442 Average of family under fifteen years . . . . 2-03 Total claims lodged to date .. .. 166,163 21,588 1,893 3,451 12,303 Total claims established .. .. .. 132,198 18,137 1,698 2,658 7,998 972 Total claims rejected .. .. .. 32,392 3,333 195 766 3,206 Total number of children benefited. . . . .. 43,545 Total deaths .. .. .. 63,480 151 1,656 1,030 340 14 Total guardians appointed . . .. . . 409 Total cancellations .. .. .. 14,584 13,233 6 588 167 955 Grand total paid to date .. .. .. £27,508,721 £5,263,666 £609,409 £903,458 £458,617 £474,087 Total amount paid on account funeral expenses .. .. . . £9,662 Total credit from national endowment .. £860,389 Invalidity appeals — Appeals lodged during 1936-37 . . .. .. .. . . . . 657 Appeals dismissed during 1936-37 .. . . .. . . 308 Appeals upheld during 1936-37 .. .. . . . . .. .. 165 Appeals withdrawn and struck out 1936-37 . . .. .. .. 18 Appeals outstanding on 31st March, 1937 .. . . . . .. .. 166 Percentage upheld . . .. . . .. . . .. .. 33-6 * Blind pensions formerly payable have been merged with Invalidity Pensions. f Miners. J Widows of miners. § Pensions may be granted to males sixty years and over and to females fifty-five years and over in eases where two or more children under fifteen are being maintained. The seventy-one cases above comprise : European — Males, 60 and under 65, 61 ; females, 55 and under 60, 4; Maori —Males, 60 and under 65, 5; females 55 and under 60, 1. Total European population at 31st March, 1937, 1,502,737.