SOLDIER PATIENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 234, 28 June 1920, Page 6

SOLDIER PATIENTS

EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING. Enthusiastic interest continues to-be shown by soldier-patients at the various hospitals in the Defence Department's educational and vocational training sclyme. The extent to which this work is supported is nhown by particulars supplied by Captain Galloway, Jf.C., who is in charge of the work in tho Wellington district. From tho figures Riven coverinfj the whole of the Dominion, it is shown that the work is more extensively availed of in this district than elsewhere, the order of position'being:—Wellington, 674; Canterbury, 440; Auckland, 405 i Otago, 259; making a grand total of 1778 under training for the Dominion. It is shown that, with the effluxion of time, the demand for instruction in the lighter occupations, such as embroidery, pt'wter work, leather work, etc., is easing off be'iig replaced by a desire on the part-of the men to secure instruction in some useful vocation.

A distinct line of demarcation exists between occupational subjects on the one hand and vocational on'the other; the' former have for their object the providing of light occupations for bed-ridden patients, and those men in a primary stage of convalescence. Prom a psychological aspect, occupational training is invaluable, as thereby the mind of the patient is partially removed from his disability and the tedium of confinement is considerably mitigated. The chief nim of vocational training is to equip a man with a sound working knowledge of the trade or profession which he intends to follow after his discharge. Extreme care has been exercised in tho selection of efficient instructors for the important task of training the disabled soldiers. Mechanical appliances, where necessary, have been called into requisition particularly ns applied (o general and motor engineering, and it is ehiinicd that everything has been provided which goes to secure tuition of sound practical utility. Vocational workshops at the Trentham Military Hospital present a very busy scene on every (lay of the week, the keennefs of many students there being such as to induce them to spend six an<T seven hours per day at their task. Some of tho more patriotically disposed among tho city's firms in the motor trade have generously loaned the Department up-to-date models of motors for instructional purposes in the workshops. These- are greatly appreciated, and are being utilised lo the fullest advantage. Excellent progress, is being made by 35 students under instruction at the carpentry class, the nature of the work turned out by them being such as to command favourable comment from men well informed in the trade.

Tho subjects taught under tho scheme cover a very wide range, the most popularly supported being engineering, forming (cJV branches), general- education, economics, accountancy, mercantile law. telegraphy, etc. Articles manufactured m the various workshops arc sold, the proceeds being paid in to tho soldiers' recreation fund account, which is administered by a committee elected by the natipiits from among their own ranks. Periodically the moneys lo Hie credit of this fund are disbursed, the patients sharing therein oil the basis of attendance nut in at the workshops. The sum of .CHO was distributed in this manner at Trentham at the close of last month.