REHABILITATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 132, 23 July 1941, Page 5

REHABILITATION

CARE OF RETURNED MEN WORK OF PATRIOTIC committees At Monday's meeting of the Whakatane Inter-Zone Patriotic Coin** [iiittea the secretary, Mr G. G. Lucas, reported that posting lists were frying forwarded to district committees as soon asi they were received. He continued that if any committee did not receive a posting list in respect of any returned man they shouJM not hesitate to submit his case to the committee for consideration if his circumstances, should Le necessitous. It Avas regretted that in regard to men AVho die on active service posting lists are not to be submitted so the circumstances of his next-to-kin could be investigated. Committee' members were therefore asked to keep a close watch on newspapers and report necessitous next-of-kin cases for action where thought necessary.. The secretary had prepared a form to be filled in by applicants for assistance and this was approved. Members feßt that a system of close checking should be kept so* that a few dishonest men could not misuse the scheme and thus prejudice the very many genuine cases that AA'ould require assistance. It. Avas reported that already some l men: Avere travelling the country oiicieavouring to victimise the patriotic committees. The systems adopted in both. Whakatane and Opotiki are ones Avhich AviJl nullify the dishonest applications and Avhich Avill give thegreatest measure of assistance possible to returned men in need. During the discussison the chairs man, Mr J. L. Burnett, stated thatthe committees real work would commence Avhen more men and added that the usie of funds for rehabilitation Avas the most urgent and necessary function. He added lhat at the llast Provincial Council meeting it had. been reeommendeil- y lhat 80 per cent of funds be earmarked for rehabilitation and this suggestion: had been" approved Wellington.