FOR THE SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3380, 25 December 1918, Page 20

FOR THE SOLDIERS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING^ THE WORK IN NEW ZEALAND. The work of providing education, vocational training, and curative treatment for returned soldiers prior to their discharge remains with the Defence Department, and ij not covered by the Repatriation Department, which deals with the soldier only after his discharge. ~- Replying to questions put by a Wellington Post reporter on Saturday, the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) said that the Defence Department had already done much in preparing for tliis work, and was rapidly making other preparations. The Assistant Director of Maze Records (Mr W. H. Montgomery) has been seconded for • special duty" to organise these activities, and he is now engaged upon this work. He has authority to equip workshops and find staffs. The work to be done will carry on and supplement considerably the scheme inaugurated by General Richardson in England. Some appointments have already been made in Auckland. Mr George George has been given charge of the 'technical training of soldiers in hospital in Auckland; the Registrar of the University will assist in coordinating that section of the work which touches the University; Miss Ayling has been appointed to do curative work m Auckland; and a returned soldier has been selected for another branch. . „ Mr Montgomery will visit Rotorua and the Waikato, and later other centres where curative work or training can be undertaken The curative work commenced by the medical branch of the Defence Department will form a part of the activities now in course of preparation. Sir James Allen expressed the opinion that this work was of the utmost importance, and he stated definitely that no time was being lost in pushing it ahead.