BACK FROM OVERSEAS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 264, 7 October 1942, Page 5

BACK FROM OVERSEAS

OVEB 5000 FIGHTING MEN

(Special.) "WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. The number of members of the New Zealand Armed Forces returned from overseas totals 5200, including 117 Maoris, according to a statement by the chairman of the Behabilitation Board (Mr Moolian) at a recent meeting. The board is concerned with tho future of every man, and it was reported that to date 1047 of tho returned men had been redrafted to military service, 604 had not yet been discharged, 78 were on privilege leave, 171 did not want help, 381 failed to report for assistance, and 397 were recuperating. Nearly 2000 men have returned to civil employment, 704 going to their pre-war employers and 1146 to other positions, while 116 were reported to be operating their own farms or businesses. Expenditure on individuals has already amounted to 341 loans aggregating £102.976, the largest item being £49,360 for houses, while £25,215 has been advanced in respect of farms and £18,538 for the purchase of furniture. LOW INTEREST RATES.

“The board considers there should be no cases of destitution of ex-servicemen arising out of this war because the scheme of rehabilitation is so comprehensive that it covers all normal cases,” is a statement in a report of the Rehabilitation Board announcing that State advances to discharged servicemen may now bo granted at 2 per cent, interest for a period of seven years in all. Thero are also some frcc-of-interest loans, a sum not exceeding £IOO being available for furniture purchase, and £SO for purchase of tools of trade, equipment or personal effects deemed necessary in the exercise of the ex-serviceman’s calling. No distinction is made between homo and overseas servicemen, but shortterm Territorial services aro excluded. Those on continuous service aro covered, and it is mado clear that these loans are not granted as of right.