REPATRIATION BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17097, 28 February 1919, Page 6

REPATRIATION BOARD.

ITS WORK IN AUCKLAND.

INTERESTS OF SOLDIERS.

PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE.

The Repatriation Board desires that all interested should bo aware of the regulations governing repatriation. They have not been gazetted, but authority has been given to the District Board to get to work, and any suggestions for improving the regulations ivill be welcomed, The intention of the board is to do everything possible to do justice to the men who have fought, and to carry out repatriation on lines satisfactory to the men and to tho country. The chairman of tho District Board. Mr. A. W. Gillies, in making a statement to this effect yesterday, snui that the main work would be to find employment, and employers requiring men should keep in touch with repatriation officers. All work in connection with land settlement and with tho purchase of homes remained as before with the Lands Department. The District Board, however, had power to advance up to £50, free of interest, to deserving cases to purchase furniture. There would be a certain amount of supervision to ensure the soldier getting value. Then there was the much-discussed question of assistance to start in business or to purchase an existing business. The solo consideration of the board in this would be whether the transaction was likoly to be of benefit to tho soldier. Tho board realised quite clearly that it was nc use starting a soldier in business unless ho would be a success, and to ensure this ho must show that ho had had experienco and that he could convince the board of his aptitude fez business, and also that the business itself was a sound proposition. Liberal sustenance provisions had been granted to meet cases of hardship Industrial committees, s«ud Mr. Gillies, would he formed to consider industrial problems in connection with tho employment of soldiers. The difficult problem of finding interesting and suitable employment for disabled men would have to be faced, and liberal proposals had been made in this connection. The work of repatriation was the most important now in front of tho people of the Dominion, and the board invited tho co-operation and assistance of everyone. Suggestions wore invited. Meanwhile anv discharged soldier with a grievance should communicate with the office and an earnest endeavour would bo made to put things right.

DECISIONS OP THE BOARD.

HELP FOR DISABLED MEN.

Tho Auckland District Repatriation Board met yesterday, tho chairman, Mr. A. W. Gillies, presiding. Several applications for loans with which to establish businesses were considered, and it was decided to recommend that four be granted, and that the others be deferred for furthor investigation. One application for a loan to purchaso furnituro and several for sustenance wero granted. Ten applications for vocational training under the subsidised scheme were approved by tho board, and four deferred. Four others from apprentices for subsidies to enable them to finish their training were granted. In order to facilitate the work of tho board, sevoral sub-committees wero appointed. The duties of one of those will bo to look after the interests of disabled men.

(Published by Arrangomcnt.)