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As far as it has been possible, the War Pensions Boards have visited various centres in New Zealand and have been able to see some hundreds of ex-servicemen in person. This has proved a valuable contact and at the same time has enabled the Boards to interview local ex-servicemen's organizations and hear representations from them. The Boards plan to make their visits to centres more frequent than in the past, and by this means an increasing number of ex-servicemen will have the opportunity of appearing before the Boards in person, while the Boards will also maintain close contact with the representatives of ex-servicemen in the districts. In the period under review close liaison with the Rehabilitation Department in matters pertaining to the welfare of ex-servicemen has been maintained, and also with the Disabled Servicemen's. Re-establishment League. Endeavour is made to assist both organizations with all possible details which would assist the early and permanent rehabilitation of the disabled servicemen. Much has already been accomplished along these lines, but there are still numbers of ex-servicemen who require guidance into channels of occupation best suited for their particular disabilities. The Department's medical officers are keen to assist and advise on any problems arising from the training and education of the disabled servicemen, and this aspect of the work has been given a great deal of attention in the past year. MEDICAL TREATMENT The inauguration of part-time district medical officers attached to the Department to assist and advise locally on problems of treatment has proved of great value, and the Department wishes to record its appreciation of the consideration given by such officers to the cases which have come before them. Many visits are made to these local medical officers, and immediate direction to necessary treatment has resulted. An extension of the service to amputees in respect of treatment and the fitting of artificial limbs has recently been arranged by the appointment of part-time orthopsedists at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin, where facilities for fitting and repair of artificial limbs exist. By this means it is hoped to improve the service given to amputees so that expert advice may be speedily given and acted on for the benefit of the amputee. All fittings and major repairs affecting the fitting and set-up of limbs will be recommended or supervised by the orthopaedist. Necessary treatment for disabilities suffered by amputees will also be directed by the -medical officer attached to these centres. The service to amputees at the Disabled Servicemen's Training Centres continues to give satisfaction, and many amputees have received considerable help from supervision by the Department's orthopsedists, who regularly attend at the centres. During the year 306 new limbs have been fitted, while it is hoped to fit even more during the coming year, and so provide more amputees with duplicate limbs. MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR The costs for the year in respect of the administration of war pensions and allowances "totalled £94,665. In addition, the medical treatment of war pensioners (including the cost of treatment of pensioners resident in overseas countries) amounted to £60,550. Railway concessions to ex-members of the Forces pensioned for total and permanent disablement and those with locomotor disabilities on permanent pensions in excess of 50 per cent, cost £5,085. The loading paid on life-insurance policies of war pensioners, due to war service disabilities, amounted to £3OB. Medical fees and the travelling-expenses of pensioners cost £49,445. 2—H 9

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