RETURNING MEN

Franklin Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4, 13 January 1943, Page 3

RETURNING MEN

QUESTION OF REHABILITATION BOARD MAKES PREPARATION The Rehabilitation Board adivsed the Tuakau Town Board in meeting last night dial i! was desirous of taking into consideration any proposals which local bodies may have for developmental, or other work connected with the rehabilitation of men returning from the war. If was realised that in " great many cases proposals may not yet he fully developed, hut in order that the work which they involved could be incorporated in a national scheme, it was essential that as much Information as was available should nc furnished lo Ihe hoard as soon as possible. The information desired generally covered construction work on Ihe execution of which returned servicemen, both skilled and unskilled, could directly he employed. Such work would include road and shan't improvements and extensions, waterworks and drainage extensions and developments, slum clearances, river and flood protection, harbour image, afforestation on local authority provemenls, reclamation, land drainareas. tramway extensions, provision of essential civic amenities and such like. If the local authority contemplated entering into housing development apart from the Stale; details of this should also be given. The board stressed the fact that the above was only a general outline and local bodies could assist by submitting proposed schemes which would provide employment for skilled or unskilled servicemen. It asked Ihe town board lo set up a committee and formulate a plan for submission as soon as possible. Mr G. Gilmour said he believed that any proposals submitted, if approved, would carrv a subsidy.

Proposed Water Supply Scheme Mr A. Wright said as far as Tuakau was concerned the only work at Ihe moment would be the installation of a water supply. He suggested the selling up of a committee to make preliminary investigations and a report.

Mr M. A. Cruiekshank expressed the opinion that before a scheme could be submilled Something definite would have to be arranged. For instance, the board would have to decide first, whether it intended installing a water supply for Iht' town, and further il wmdd have to be in a position to give details of Ihe scheme on which il proposed to embark. A water supply scheme was one which all favoured at Hie right lime. Stirli installation, would in 1 1 is opinion, be done by contract in which case Ihe board would not have a say in.lhe employment of the men for Ihe job. That would lie a matter for the contractors. Mr Gilmour said the Rehabilitation Board would want to know something about I lie materials required for such work, so it could gather information about the number to be pul on the production of water pipes. Mr Cruiekshank: But it will be some time after the war ends before materials for Ihe manufacture of pipes will be available. Mr Gilmour: Then 11 1 ere is the con ere ting of our footpaths. This would provide work for several men for some lime.

Finally il was decided that llm chairman. Mr IL A. Madill. Mr A. Wright, and the clerk. Mr M. It. D. McGahaii. be a Committee to investigate I lie mailer- and bring iluwi) a report for consideration at an early meelinv of tlm board.