REPATRIATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10541, 18 March 1920, Page 7

REPATRIATION

A YEAR'S RECORD SALIENT FEATTTOBS OF WORK. From Mr J. R. Samson. (Director of Repatriation) a, "New Zealand Times" representative obtained the following particulars of the first year's ojwrations of the Repatriation Department, and a statement summarising tho salient features of the -work accomplished. Thei total number of soldiers on the register on February 20th (when the year ended) was 77.128. There were placed in employment, 15,106; awaiting employment, 175; drawing unemployment sustenance, 14. Note.—The number unemployed is the smallest on record. Number for whom training has been arranged, 3838; at present in training, 3030; finished course, 808. It should be noted that 71 per cent.' ot the men in training are receiving their instruction in ..the factories «md workshops of private employers; and as such employers invariably retain the services of the trainee as a journeyman after the completion of the training, the proMem of absorbing large numbers of men from Technical Schools.o> special soldier classes does not arise. The policy of the department in this respect is to give a man three or four months' grounding in a special class (if necessary) and-then draft him out as a subsidised worker. At the present time.approximately 100 men are completing their training monthly and are taking their places in the ordinary industrial life of the community. Financial assistance. —Granted business loans exceeding -ESO, 2926, 1 amount .£666.487; granted loans for furniture, etc., 5957, amount £200,600; granted transportation allowances — beyond New Zealand, 77; within Now Zealand, 1527. The totaL, applications for financial assistance received to date is 12,708, and of this number 83 per cent, were granted, 9 per cent, declined, and the balance represents applications withdrawn or at present under consideration.

Repayments—lnstalments of principal repaid, £69,659; interest, £2983; total payments, £72,542. The borrowers are meeting their obligations loyally and promptly, and during January the sum of £23,069 was received—a "rate of £270,000 per annum. Less than 4 per cent, of those granted loans are in arrear with their payments. The total amount expended on soldiers to 20-2-20 was £880,399, and the total nurdber assisted 29,431.