SOLDIERS' RE-EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16904, 17 July 1918, Page 8

SOLDIERS' RE-EDUCATION.

CAMP CLASSES IN ENGLAND. i

KEENNESS OF THE STUDENTS. Interesting information as to the classes for maimed New Zealand soldiers, which have been established in England, is contained in a letter received by Mr. C J. Parr, M.P. At Oatlands Park, Wey. bridge, Surrey, there is. a commercial class, intended to fit such soldiers for clerkships, which was started under the direction of Sergeant L. E. Johnson, formerly private secretary to the Hon. W. H. Hemes, who, however, has now crossed to France, and has been succeeded by Sergeant L. C. Gibbons, formerly of Auckland. There are also two other instructors, both practical men. At present there are some 90 students, men who, in pre-war days, followed all kinds of, occupations. The keenness with which they prosecuted their studies is described as most heartening, and the class is stated to be a pronounced success.

There are also classes for cabinet-mak-ing, motor engineering, wool-classing, and bootmaking; and men who wish to take up other occupations are put in the way of doing so with outside firms. The question of re-education is one in which General Richardson, general officer commanding the New Zealanders in the United Kingdom, shows a deep personal interest. The general has in view a proposal for the re-education of the whole of the Expeditionary Force when demobilisation takes place. He is not, however, waiting for the arrival of that stage, and early in April he convened a conference of educationists, at which the project was discussed. As a result a start is being made in the various camps. Already some 30 students from the commercial class have returned. to New Zealand, and the writer states that most of the present students will, unfortunately, not remain long; enough to complete the course. On their behalf, and particularly I those who have suffered arm amputations, Mr. Pan is asked to interest himself in their future. One pleasing feature of the re-education scheme is said to be the .psychological effect on the students. Naturally they felt, before joining the class, that the future did not hold out much prospect for their useful employment. They have now been brought to see that, despite their handicap, there is a wide sphere of useful and profitable employment open to them. Generally speaking, the-result has been to bring out all that is best in a man.