WAR PRISONERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 181, 15 May 1945, Page 4

WAR PRISONERS

EDUCATIONAL REHABILITATION. ACTIVITIES IN BRITAIN. MINISTER GIVES DETAILS. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A special committee has been set up in England to deal with the educational rehabilitation of New Zealand prisoners of war. The Minister of Rehabilitation (the Hon. C. F. Skinner) said to-day that Major-General H. K. Kipeuberger and Dr. R. M. Campbell (secretary to Mr W. J. Jordan) represented the Rehabilitation Board on this committee. have been made with the British Universitis for New Zealand personnel to take short courses for men awaiting passage home. The Minister said that the Rehabilitation of prisoners of war had to be preceded by a period during which the prisoner reoriented himself. Many prisoners had been cut off from their own country for four years, mid it took them some time to bring Themselves up-to-date so that they would be in a position to join in the discussions of their more fortunate comIt had been found that the progress of released prisoners depended ou how rapidly they gained sufficient information to enable him to take part in the conversation about current matters with his friends —and later with his family. The ultimate work of rehabilitation was not hurried. The problem of each man varied and had to be handled according to individual circumstances. Pamphlets, lectures and informal group discussions were used for spreading information and advice, and it always emphasised that the success of rehabilitation depended largely on the individual s desire to help himself. Many of the prisoners had spent their leisure time in prison camps in study and followup work was being provided where required. / The Minister said lie wanted to stress that the handling of prisoners of war was not a rush job. When the men, returned to New Zealand there was still much to be done to assist their readjustment and everyone could play a part by appreciating the men’s problems.