REPATRIATING SOLDIERS.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15095, 11 June 1919, Page 2

REPATRIATING SOLDIERS.

WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT,

PROGRESS REPORT TO MAY 20tIi

, Mr J. R. Samson, Director of Repatriation, forwards ns the following report showing what is being done by the Department of Repatriation in helping returned soldiers in their return to civilian life:—

The number of returned soldiers on xhe Department's register now totals 50,374. This includes 23,700 men who! have returned to the Dominion since the beginning of the year. Demobilisation cards are now held by tne district repatriation officers as follows:— ; Auckland 7673 Wellington 9620 Canterbury ' "4898 Otago 4521

Total 26,710 Those figures include cards for some 3000 men who returned prior to 1919 and have enquired regarding assistance from the department. , Already 385 loans totalling £83,547 to assist discharged soldiers to start in business have been approved by the Ministerial board, and during the past month £37,000 was actually paid on behalf of soldiers in the way of furniture, tools, business, sustenance, training fees, subsidised wages, assistance to apprentices, etc. The total number of men at present •oemg trained by the'department is 530 and during the month the department secured billets for 691 men who applied for such assistance. A further £47 men sought financial assistance to enable them to start in business, and 366 applied for grants for furniture and tools of trade, etc. The amounts being paid out by the various boards and committees shW a large increase. During the first month o l} io£ 20tu. Marcl1 t}io amount paid was &4420 during the second month £19S^ during the month under review ~nn ' malcin S a total of £61,217. I hat the various boards ano! committees have their work well up ?6 date is evidenced by the fact that of 1686 applications received for financial asistance only <4 are still under further enquiry in Auckland, 71 in Wellington, 59 in Canterbury and 40 in Otago'.