SOCIAL WELFARE
103
and again on June 1, when they went up to $180 and $90. During 1974 the scheme became firmly established with 53,862 individuals drawing allowances by the end of the year, compared with 39,016 at the end of 1973. Expenditure on payments for the financial year 1973-4 was $26.27 million.
The levels of benefit of both the public assistance scheme and the disability and infirmity allowance scheme are reviewed regularly in the light of the cost of living. For this purpose a special public assistance index has been maintained which measures movements of the cost of food and services among the lowest income group. To gain an insight into the way the public assistance scheme matches the needs of those it is designed to help, an annual sample survey of cases is undertaken. It was found in 1974 that about 70 per cent of recipients were single and the great majority of these were elderly. The balance was made up of widows with young children (five per cent) and other categories (25 per cent). Seventy per cent of the people receiving public assistance have no other income, and a further 21 per cent have less than $250 a month.
The criminal and law enforcement injuries compensation scheme is also non- means-tested and non-contributory. It was established in May 1973 and is designed to provide ex-gratia compensation to those persons, or the dependents of those who become victims of crimes of violence or who are accidentally injured by weapons used by law enforcement officers in the execution of their duty. By the end of the year 241 cases had been awarded compensation. Expenditure on compensation payments amounted to nearly $637,000 for the financial year 1973-4.
Emergency Relief
The government plays a key role in providing emergency relief to victims of disasters. Fortunately no large scale event occurred in 1974, but there were several incidents mainly resulting from fires. Help was given to 3,349 victims. This included hot meals, blankets and temporary accommodation. Various improvements to the quality of the relief service were introduced in the course of the year. For example, the dietary content of meals was upgraded and milk powder for infants and hot water was made available at the site of emergencies. Drinking cups and ground mats were included as part of the relief kit given to all victims. The emergency relief teams were also strengthened by the assignment of more staff to such duties, while co-ordination at the district level of the efforts of all departments involved in handling emergencies continued to improve.
Cash assistance and compensation are provided by the Emergency Relief Fund. The rates of assistance are kept under constant review and were increased substantially during the year.
Family Welfare Services
Family services include counselling on social problems such as adjustment to physical and mental disabilities, training and employment; recommendations for day or residential care, compassionate rehousing, schooling and medical attention; pro- tection of women, children and young persons in need of care; investigations of cases