TRAINING DISABLED SERVICEMEN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 203, 25 May 1944, Page 4

TRAINING DISABLED SERVICEMEN

Dunedin Centre Opened

’ (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, May 24, The official opening of the vocational training centre of the Disabled Servicemen’s Re-establishment League in Dunedin, the second such centre to be established in the Dominion, was performed this afternoon by the Minister of Rehabilitation, Major Skinner. The centre is situated in Anzac Avenue, where the site was made available by the Harbour Board at a peppercorn rental and by the action of bowling dubs a considerable sum is available for the provision of recreational facilities. The Minister said the new vocational training centres that were being planned and erected were not required in any way to be economic propositions, for the paramount aim was to provide employment which would fit disabled men to hold their own in the world of trade and commerce. A number of men had already -passed through the centres and were now making their way in commercial organizations. He said he hoped that the numbers of men passing through the centres would grow progressively smaller, for that would mean that the centres were fulfilling their purpose, but there would always be a few men who were unable to go out into ordinary commercial life.

Vocational centres were springing up throughout the-' country, Mr, Skinner said. One was already established in Wellipgton and tenders had been called for another in Christchurch, while plans for a similar centre in Invercargill were being prepared. Arrangements were also being made for the establishment of a centre in Auckland.