VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17277, 29 September 1919, Page 5

VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

FARMING OPPORTUNITIES.

PROVISION ALREADY MADE.

REVIEW BY THE MINISTER.

[BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL REPORTER.]

WELLINGTON, Saturday. A briefjjdiscussion of the question of the vocational training of soldier patients occurred in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon.

Dr. H. T. J. Thacker (Christchurch East) asked what was the nejt step after the vocational training. Ho asked if there ■were a,ny secondary institutions where the men ho recovering the use of limbs in orthopaedic hospitals could do outside work, thus making a further advance. The tubercular patients in particular needed some outside occupation of a light nature when discharged, otherwise they would go back either to hospital or sanatorium. If there were a progressive scale of training institutions the progress of the patients would be continuous. Ihe Minister had said that something was going to be done, but prompt action was needed. When such men, went to work, moreover, and were earning full wages their pensions should not be cut down too suddenly or too drastically, because there was always the possibility of a man having to return for further treatment. Mr. J. Vigor Brown (Napier) asked whether the Department proposed to continue taking the money earned by basketmaking and paying it Into a general fund. He said it was a considerable disappointment to the men that they could not enjoy the fruits of their labour. The Minister, replying to Mr. Brown, said the money so earned wa-8 paid into a recreation fund administered by the men themselves. On the points raised by Dr. Thacker, Sir James Allen said that everything possible for these men would be done. The tubercular cases were particularly difficult to provide for. The patients were beint< watched very closely and methods would be improved with time, *Vh?.i the patients were discharged from < hospital they were handed over to the care of the Repatriation Department with cards showing what training each man had received. The Defence and Repatriation Departments were working together in the interests of the patients. For training in outdoor work there was a farm at Tauherenikau and another was being made ready near Carterton. For undischarged patients there was a farm at Hanmer under a very capable officer, which was showing good results. There was a farm manager at the Rev sanatorium near Waipuknrau where plenty of outdoor occupation would be provided for patients, th 6 grounds being several acres in extent.