REHABILITATION POLICY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25661, 9 October 1944, Page 4

REHABILITATION POLICY

URGENT NEED FOR REVISION DISSATISFACTION EXPRESSED BY R.S.A (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. The present machinery of rehabilitation would not take the peak load it would eventually be called on to carry unless it was properly geared to climb the steep incline ahead, said the Dominion president, Mr B. J. Jacobs, at the quarterly meeting of the N.Z.R.S.A. executive committee last night. Dissatisfaction with many features of the existing rehabilitation methods and with the lack of planning for future operations was expressed by members, who passed the following resolution: “That, after full consideration of the report of the recent deputation to the Prime Minister, we reiterate our policy on rehabilitation, namely: “1. That the Minister of Rehabilitation have full charge of the administration of the Act. “2. That he shall have his own rehabilitation vote and not be dependent on any Government department for his finance. . . „ , “3. That the Rehabilitation Board be reconstituted to consist of five or six full-time members, and that departmental officers be not members of the board but act in an advisory capacity only when required to do so. “•4. (a) that the present Administrative machinery be revised and overhauled; (b) that a satisfactory scheme of decentralisation be devised and expedited; (c) that a comprehensive survey of the requirements of the service personnel overseas be made by rehabilitation and Army Education and Welfare Service officers; (d) that the surveys of occupations throughout New Zealand be expedited; (e) that a general survey be made of the position in relation to the economy of the country and post-war reconstruction; (f) that a correct up-to-date statement as to the rehabilitation facilities available be given to service personnel overseas; (g) that no general promises or statements should be made which cannot be given effect to at once, such as ‘every man immediately obtaining a house or farm’; (h) that the service personnel overseas be told definitely of the priorities in rehabilitation in view of the shortages and of the manpower situation.”