CLOSING DEPARTMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18174, 21 August 1922, Page 6

CLOSING DEPARTMENTS.

REPATRIATION AND HOUSING. TRANSFER TO ADVANCES" OFFICE. The closing of the Repatriation Department, forecasted _ in the Budget, will be effected by the State Advances Amendment Bill, which provides that on April' 1, 1923, the administration of repatriation loans shall be transferred *to the Superintendent of State Advances. He will collect all moneys due to the Crown, and after deducting the expenses of his administration, not exceeding 10 per cent., pay the balance into the War ' Expenses Account. On a date to be fixed, the Housing branch of the Labour Department is also to be closed, ita functions being transferred to the State Advances Office. The Bill proposes to repeal tha clauses of the ' 1919 Act, which authorised the appointment of the housing superintendent «nd deputy superintendent, architects, engineers, inspectors, and clerks, and other officers, and provided for the constitution of a Housing Board. • The Advances Department is also to take over the administration oftheFroitPreserving Industry Act, the scheme for advances for the provision of cold storage, authorised by the Finance Act, 1918, and the Fishing Industry Promotion Act, all of which provide for State advances.