REPATRIATION MINISTER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 128, 30 May 1918, Page 4

REPATRIATION MINISTER.

RETURNED SOLDIERS' SCHEME. Concrete proposals for a Minister of Repatriation were laid before the Returned Soldiers' Associa' conference last night by the Christehureh delegate*. They were in the form of a resolution, as follows:— " That a Minister and a Department cf Repatriation be set up, which will concern itself solely with the question of repatriation. Such department should have at its disposal expert experience and opinion in every branch of trade, profession, or business. The Association undertakes to supply the Department with evidence showing how the various systems work out in practice from the individual standpont. The Department should take over the solder on his discharge from the forces. We consider that the Department should deal with the following matters:—

" (a) The re-establishment of the re turned soldier in suitable employment. " (b) An efficient system of land set tlement.

" (c) Assisting suitable returned soldiers to establish themselves in business. "(d) Opportunity for the acquiring of homes by returned soldiers.

" (c) Adequate pensions for war diatrblement or loss, in the ease of both soldiers and their dependents and the dependents of those who have fallen.

" (f) Facilities and encouragements to learn new trades or professions in order to overcome war disabilities."

In discussion, one member remarked that the new department would need the hearty support and assistance of all classes of the community.

i Tlie chairman (Dr. E. Boxer) explained that the idea underlying the whole proposal was that all efforts for the benefit of returned soldiers should come under one head. At present they were distributed under the care of "a number of Ministers, and there had been frequent changes and rearrangements. The scheme was on the lines of the one launched in England.

The remit was adopted as it stood.