REHABILITATION OF PRISONERS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24567, 16 May 1945, Page 5

REHABILITATION OF PRISONERS

COMMITTEE SET UP IN ENGLAND ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHORT COURSES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 15. A committee has been set up in England to deal with the educational rehabilitation of New Zealand prisoners of war. said the Minister of Rehabilitation (toe Hon. C. F. Skinner) to-day. Major-General H. K. Kippenberger and Dr. R. M. Campbell, secretary to the New Zealand High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan), represented toe Rehabilitation Board bh this committee. Arrangements had been made with the British universities for New Zealand personnel to take short courses at these centres of learning. It was also hoped that it would be possible to make arrangements with certain trade firms to provide refresher courses for men awaiting their passage home. The Minister said that the rehabilitation of prisoners of war had to be preceded by a period during which toe prisoner reoriented himself. atony prisoners had been cut off from toeir own country for lour years and it took them some time to bring themselves up to date so that they were m a position to join in the discussions of their more fortunate comrades. . It had been, found that a released prisoner’s progress depended on how rapidly he secured sufficient information Jo enable him to take part m conversations about current matters with his friends—and later with hxS family. , . , 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 was always emphasised that ''successful rehabilitation depended largely on the individuals desire to help himself. , , . Many of the prisoners had spent their leisure time in prison gamps in study and follow-up work was being provided where it was required. The Minister said he wanted to emphasise that the handling of prisoners of war was not a rush job. When toe men returned to New Zealand there would still be much to be done to assist their readjustment and. everyone could play a part by appreciating the men’s problems.