AID FOR HOME SERVICEMEN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 258, 29 September 1945, Page 3

AID FOR HOME SERVICEMEN

REHABILITATION BOARD'S VIEW (Press Assn) WELLINGTON, Sept. 28 The whole question of immediate rehabilitation assistance to home servicemen by way of loans and the preferential allocation of State rental houses is to be reviewed by the Rehabilitation Board at the end of March next. This decision was made at the last meeting of the board. "In view of the present and expected demands of men with long overseas service, it was decided that an extension of the policy now being followed was not possible," says a statement from the board. "That policy is one of priority for nien with greater claims as the result of service.

"Regarding housing assistance, it has been found necessary as a result not only of the shortage of houses, but also of the shortage of building materials to defer applications from home servicemen unless the applicant's present housing position is a direct result of his' service with the Armed Forces. This policy will now continue until reviewed at the end of six months. There are at present certain other forms of rehabilitation assistance of which suitable home servicemen may avail themselves. These include trade training at the board's centres and certain educational facilities. "The board looks forward to the time when the need for priorities will have gone. At present the need is still with us and is likely to bo for some time. In g.ving effect to its obligations under the Rehabilitation Act, the board has attempted to recognise meritorious service, governed by known or presumed hazard, and the zone or duration of that service. It has. however, equal responsibility in giving all ex-service-men and women the opportunity of returning to civil life on terms at least as favourable as those which would probably have applied as a result of their own efforts if they had not been required to serve in the Armed Forces. That is the ultimate aim of nil the board's plans and covers the claims of home servicemen as well as all others who have served in the war just concluded."