REPATRIATION TIED UP.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 221, 17 September 1919, Page 9

REPATRIATION TIED UP.

THE PATRIOTIC FTTNDS. MEMBERS CRITICAL BUT MINISTER SATISFIED. (By Telesrapli—Special to "Star."> WELLINGTON, Tuesday. ■When the Repatriation Board's report was tabled to-day a number of members complained about several unsatisfactory features of the repatriation policy. Mr. Young complained of the absurdity of the board not being allowed to lend money on farm stock wsien a soldier owned land himself, yet could take a bill of sale to cover land and stock.

Mr. Poland pointed to the delay which many men suffered in getting land, and urged that the Repatriation Boards bs empowered to assist the operations of the Land Department so that the men's attempts to obtain homes and land should be expedited.

"Is there any intention of the Government to taice action regarding the large sums of money in the hands of local bodies?"' asked Dr. Newman. "1 ■understand some of these local bodies, hold patriotic funds invested for as long as twenty and twenty-five years. Now, that money was subscribed for spending on our boys, especially our ■wounded boys now, not in twenty-five years time. I contend it is quite wrong to lock this money up, and I think the Government should announce its policy on the subject. If any expenditure is needed in twenty-five years' time, let the people of that date* do their share."

The Hon. W. 11. Hemes: That is under the Minister of Internal Affairs. (Laughter.)

Dd. Nmvanan: Well, Mr. Speaker, I think it is time every Minister hail a clean-cut occupation. Who else must I seek? 1 think it is most annoying this hunting for the pea under the thimble. (Renewed laughter.)

Mr. C. <[. Purr expressed the opinion that in Auckland there had been no cases of delay, and that so far as to refusing assistance, the Auckland Board, erred, if anything, the other way. Money had been expended generously.' A certain amount of lose had to be expected, so far ac money controlled by patriotic societies was concerned. lie did not suggest that the Government should take sole control of these fund*, but he believed the Government should exorcise supervision over these patriotic societies to prevent unnecessary duplication and overlapping. Ho contended it was unwise to leave hundreds of thousands for twenty or thirty years in the hands of local trustees entirely. I n Auckland v. sum aggregating about £-200,000 was lent out to local bodies, sonic for a period of twenty-one years. He believed the subscribers of that money intended it should be spent within a few rears at the most after the war. There was no justification for lending out patriotic lunils to City Councils to build markets and to Road Boards for local ivork Mr. Payne: Hear, hear sirv m f Smit . h (Tnninilki > "'Bed the necessitj of extending the scope of the Repatriation Act towards making provieion for widowed mothers who had lost only sons at the front.

The Minister: Provision has alreadybeen made in that direction. "Why not order a, compulsory conference of patriotic bodies, in order that n< definite uniform policy be arived at respecting the investment of funds?" asked .Mr. Iml. .

EXTEXSIOX OF BENEFITS NEEDED.

Mr. 'Uilford suggested extending the benefits of the Act to those Xew Zealanders who had served with the Motor Boat Patrol, reservists residing in Xew Zealand who answered the call in England when war broke out, and those who served in the British forces and never served in the Xew Zealand expedition Hon. W. 11. Herries: They have got Imperial allowances.

Mr. Wilford: I am glad to hear something has been done for widowed mothers. He went on to express the opinion that money lent to local bodies in the shape of debentures could be realised, as the security was liquid. He did not believe Auckland city debentures carrying 5A per cent would be at a discount. Mr. Parr: Five and a-quarter per cent. Mr. Wilford: Well, I cannot believe Auckland City Council debentures would not fetch par. (Hearty laughter.) If patriotic societies confine their investments to gilt-edged debentures they are the best possible temporary investment that could be made. Mr. Poole, speaking of the good work done by the Auckland Repatriation Board, agreed that funds should not be tied up for long- periods, but he also agreed that most of the investments by patriotic societies were easily, realisable. MINISTER CLAIMS SUCCESS. Replying to members, the Hon. W. H. Herries (chairman of the Repatriation Board) declared that the great success of the general repatriation scheme waa due to the decentralisation system, and putting on, tho people of the several districts the onus of looking after men in their own districts. The Government had. been extremely fortunate both in its oflicers and the men appointed to the different Repatriation Boards. He reminded members that the duties of the Repatriation Department only began after a man waa discharged. If he. wanted land, a returned soldier went to the Lands Department, but if a soldier had property, the Lands Department could not deal with him. The Repatriation Department was quite prepared to advance him assistance, and also to give a man help in starting in business. The Department had been successful in the nine months of its existence in the way of finding employment, while it had achieved fine work in vocational training, financial assistance, and in the matter of allowing sustenance money to men looking for work and attending university. The total amount expended to August 28 amounted to about £277,000. The Department had been working in thorough accord with the Returned Soldiers' Association and patriotic societies, except P.t Auckland, where better counsels had also now prevailed. He assured members that there was no overlapping as far aS the Department knew at the present time. As far as money investments went, certainly the Repatriation Board had invested none for a period of 21 years, and he did not think patriotic societies as a whole had placed large sums in long-dated investments. Our repatriation efforts in New Zealand compared favourably with in other countries, and very little money had been lost so far, two or three pounds that soldiers had received. Satisfactory treatment was shown by the 'fact that no complaints had been received from the Returned Soldiers' Association.

UNEMPLOYMENT WELL IX HAND. The Board's report points out that at March 31 only 17 soldiers out of (>u,:',t)o returned men were on unemployment sustenance lint for the whole Dominion. It gives details of repatriation activities on the lines indicated in the monthly jgro-

gress reports, concluding with the statement that the facts show that the unemployment question is well in hand. A great measure of success is attending the Department's educational and vocational retaining schemes. A large number of soldiers are availing themselves of the liberal financial assistance provided for them, and are meeting their obligations promptly. The Department is honestly doing its best in the interests of discharged soldiers. There is no "camou(lage, ,, and each applicant for assistance is sympathetically dealt with. Bearing in mind the fact that the individual men are already to a grjat extent-repatriated or are being trained and are well on the way towards that goal, and that the majority of those now returning are fit men, the Department believes it is justified in taking an optimistic view of the future. ]t confidently anticipates that the very satisfactory conditions at present prevailing will* continue until tho whole of our boys nave been re-settled in the Dominion that they have so worthily represented at the front.