REHABILITATION PROGRESS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23919, 10 April 1943, Page 4

REHABILITATION PROGRESS

2650 Cases Handled In Christchurch TOTAL OF 1515 IN EMPLOYMENT In a period of slightly more than two years rehabilitation officials of the State Placement Service at the outset, and the National Service Department subsequently, have handled in Christchurch about 2650 cases of men and women discharged, after military service overseas and in New Zealand. Of the total; which includes 21 Maoris, 1515 have been placed ,in or have themselves gone to employment, many of them to theit previous occupations. According to reports from the National Service Department, the rehabilitation achieved so far has in nearly all cases satisfied both employees and employers. An idea of the progress made is given in figures for the Christchurch district, which have now been released. Numerical details of the cases handled to date are:—

Not yet discharged—From overseas, 4, from New Zealand, 10. Returned to military service—From overseas, 130 men, one woman; from New Zealand, 66. Still on privilege leave—From New Zealand, 3.

Serving civil sentences—From overseas, 3; from New Zealand, 1. In mental institutions—From overseas, 5; from New Zealand, 3. In hospitals, sanatoria, etc.—From overseas, 57; from New Zealand, 25 men and one woman.

Recuperating, but not institution inmates —From overseas, 189 men and three women; from New Zealand, 51 men and one woman. Intentions undecided, but cases being followed up—From overseas, 58; from New Zealand, 82 men and three women. In full-time training—Carpentry: From overseas, 10; from New Zealand, 5. Engineering: From overseas, 15; from New Zealand, 6. Transferred to Disabled Servicemen’s League for training—One from overseas. Placed with pre-service employer— From overseas, 4; from New Zealand, 4. Self-placed with pre-service employer—From .overseas, 141 men and three women; from New Zealand, 433 men and one woman. Placed with Government subsidy (for training period) with other private employer—From New Zealand, 4. Placed without subsidy with other private employer—From overseas, 124; from New Zealand, 338, Self-placed with other private employer—From overseas, 134 and two women; from New Zealand, 172. Placed with subsidy in State department —One from overseas. Placed without subsidy in State departmenl—From overseas, 22; from New Zealand, 27. Self-placed without subsidy in State employment—From overseas, 2; from New Zealand, 7. Returned to own business or farm— From overseas, 9; from New Zealand, 39. Acquired own business or .farm — From overseas, 9; from New Zealand, Depending on private means—One from overseas. Action closed, as refusing all help— From overseas, 20 and three women; from New Zealand, 82. Enrolled for placement—From overseas, 22; from New Zealand, 49 and one woman. Left New Zealand—One from overseas. ■ Unable to be traced—From overseas, 13; from New Zealand, 200 and one woman. Contact temporarily lost—From overseas, ,5; from New Zealand, 5. Deceased—From overseas, 5; from New Zealand, 6. Established a home. —One woman from overseas. Summary of Figures Of the total of 21 Maoris, six are recuperating, three are of undecided intention, one is undergoing engineering training, and five have been placed without subsidy with other than their previous employers. The remainder come under the various other categories. These figures show that of the 2650odd cases handled 1515 have been placed or reabsorbed into employment, 37 are in occupational training, 250 are recuperating, 198 are back in military service, 83 are in hospitals or sanatoria, and intentions are undecided in the case of 146.

Actual figures were not available at the rehabilitation office of the National Service Department on those undertaking university courses under Government bursaries, as the men seek detailed advice in these cases from educational authorities and apply direct to the Director of Education. However, it is known to the department that a number of men are already undertaking such courses. Subsidised Training

When inquiries were made by a reporter about rehabilitation work it was emphasised by officers of the department that all those placed in employment receive award wages. Men being trained while in actual employment are, where necessary, subsidised by the Government. The subsidy is substantial in the early stages of the training and is reduced as the training proceeds, ceasing at the end of the third year. Those men who are in Government training centres receive the special rates which have already been announced at various times.

According to the experience of the department to date all but a very small minority of both employers and the men and women rehabilitated have been fully satisfied with what has dseen done for them so far, and the department has already a “letters of appreciation file.” Especially in the case of men returning from overseas whose cases go through their hands, rehabilitation officers keep in constant contact with the men until they are placed in employment. Subsequently inquiries are made of both employer and man to see what the man’s progress is in the job. If the initial report is not satisfactory further checks are made, and if these still prove unsatisfactory the work is discussed with the man and an effort is made to find a more suitable occupation acceptable to him and for which he is qualified. “Rolling Stones”

The number whom the department is unable to trace or with whom contact is lost, a department official stated, would represent roughly those "rolling stones” with whom the department has not had much success and from the totals already shown is an obviously small percentage. Information is also supplied by departmental offices to enable the head office to keep detailed statistics about the progress made with types of cases such as amputees, psycho-neurotics, and deaf or blind. Initial reports are obtained by the department immediately men return from overseas. A contact officer interviews each man on arrival. The contact officer, who has Army papers as to the man’s medical condition, completes a form giving details of dependants, pre-service employment, fitness for that employment, reasons for seeking other employment if desired, and what forms of Government aid may be sought (for instance, assistance to obtain furniture, loans to acquire property, or assistance in educational courses). Details are also obtained about the man’s disability, medical grading, and the posting committee’s decision. On receipt of this form the local rehabilitation officer contacts the man. In the case of a soldier discharged from the forces within New Zealand, the rehabilitation officer will interview the man where necessary after receiving the posting committee’s decision, and a form from the special liaison officer in camp indicating whether the man requires other than his previous employment.