REPATRIATION PROBLEMS.

Evening Star, Issue 17032, 1 May 1919, Page 6

REPATRIATION PROBLEMS.

TO THS EDITOR. ■Sir,—l read with much interest a letter by '• Disgusted " under the heading of Repatriation, and also your explanatory footnote. It the Solicitor-General stated that all funds from the Repatriation Department are to be in the nature of loans, then why has the local Repatriation (department stated several times to inquiring soldiers that they were making small grants for educational purposes to deserving cases'.' This was also printed in at least one paper. And why, if they are loans only, should a- soldier be asked, in front of" about 10 members of the board, to detail his private affairs and also the financial position of his parents? Tins is treadina; on rather delicate ground, as il puts the applicant in the painful position of having to answer questions pertaining to his family's private affairs and situation. This seems to be more than any other money-lending- concern would demand. They would require security, but 1 thought these loans wore for those who could not give security; otherwise ] am sure returned soldiers would not submit to this indignity, but would apply elsewhere.—l am, etc., April 21. Pkkplexed. [We are informed upon authority that one reason for inquiry about circumstances in the cases of applicants for educational loans is this : unless such inquiry were made the result might easily be that the loan would not assist the student, but only relieve th<j parent or the familv from responsibility —i'A. E.S.]