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The War Pensions Boards have continued to visit the various centres in NewZealand and by this means have enabled manv ex-servicemen to present their cases in person. During such visits the Boards have also given local ex-servicemen's organizations the opportunity to present cases where some special feature is involved and this has given general satisfaction throughout the country. Close liaison is still maintained with other Departments and organizations concerned with the welfare and rehabilitation of ex-servicemen. By this means much has been done to re-establish ex-servicemen into civilian life. MEDICAL TREATMENT Many disabled ex-servicemen applied for medical treatment, and the work of the Department's medical officers in attending promptly to such applications has proved of great value. The Department has a wide coverage with medical officers attached to the office of each of the nineteen Registrars of War Pensions, and the advice of the medical officers has been much sought after in connection with the rehabilitation of disabled ex-servicemen. The work of the part-time orthopaedists in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch,. and Dunedin is proving of great assistance to amputees and others requiring specialist advice. Through the attendance of these specialists at the artificial-limb-fitting centres the requirements of amputees have been attended to speedily. Most of the amputeesnow have duplicate artificial limbs, and the provision of new limbs is no longer a major problem. The Department is keeping in touch with overseas developments regarding artificial limbs and appliances, and at all times endeavours to provide the best possible service. Throughout the year the Disabled Servicemen's Re-Establishment League has co-operated with the Department in the fitting of new artificial limbs and the service provided for repairs of other artificial limbs and appliances. The establishment of a training centre at Auckland with fitting-rooms and full walking-race for amputees has been much appreciated. During the year 301 new limbs were fitted, of which 34 were original issues and 267 duplicate limbs. Major repairs were carried out on 157 limbs. MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR Administration costs for the year in respect of war pensions and allowances! totalled £18,858. Medical treatment of war pensioners (including the cost of treatment of pensioners resident in overseas countries) amounted to £65,565, compared with £60,550 for the previous year. 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 £6,404, compared with £5,085 for the previous year. Loading on life-insurance policies due to war-service disabilities of war pensioners, was paid by the Department, and amounted to £597, compared with £3OB for the previous year. Medical fees and travelling-expenses of pensioners cost £37,920, compared witk £49,445 for the previous year.

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