Rehabilitation Aid Extended

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31145, 23 August 1966, Page 9

Rehabilitation Aid Extended

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, August 22. Servicemen who have served a minimum of six months in the South-east Asian service area since April 1, last year, are now elibible for resettlement assistance.

The Minister in charge of Rehabilitation (Mr Kinsella) said today the assistance would consist of housing loans up to £3500 with concession rates of interest on £2500 to £2650 depending on the number of children, or £2850 if an unencumbered section was owned. The rate of interest for the amount lent in excess of concession rates would be at the usual rate for civilians. Furniture loans of £2OO would also be available. Mr Kinsella siid these concessions would be available for five years only from the date of the serviceman’s return to New Zealand regardless of whether he intended remaining in the forces. Further assistance by way of wage subsidies for servicemen wishing to commence or resume trade training or apprenticeships interrupted by service and benefits for those men who required financial aid to complete their studies were available. Application for such aid must be made

within two years of return to sew Zealand. I Mr Kinsella said 12 months’ service in Malaya up to December 31,1963, qualified men for certain restlement benefits.