BACK IN CIVIL LIFE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23083, 23 December 1944, Page 6

BACK IN CIVIL LIFE

Total Now 60,220 Some Employers Ignore Obligations (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. To the end of November, 60,220 servicemen and women have been demobilised from the Armed Forces, said the Minister of Rehabilitation (the Hon. C. F. Skinner). During November 3067 returned personnel and 812 Home Service men and women had been demobilised, making 3879 for the month. At the date of the return the totals discharged from the Forces were 34,754 returned from overseas and 25,466 demobilised from Home Service. “An analysis of the placement figures of ex-servicemen and women shows that in all 69 per cent, have placed themselves in employment, businesses and on farms, while 31 per cent, have required assistance from the Rehabilitation Department, said the Minister. “Proportionately more returned personnel than Home Service men and women have so far required assistance in placement. The percentages for returned men and women are 64 per cent, self-placed and 36 per cent, assisted. Of Home Service personnel 74 per cent, were self-placed and 26 per cent, required assistance. “Though we are, naturally, at all times ready to assist any number of ex-servicemen and women to rehabilitate themselves,” said the Minister, “from the point of view of the men themselves, the higher the percentage in the self-placed category the better. Many men have had to be placed in employment more than once by the Department, but in each case the retarns show only one placement. There are many cases in which men have been assisted to find employment, but later have placed themselves, in which case they are shown in returns simply as being self-placed. “Another point which should be borne in mind, particularly with regard to Home Service personnel, is that a large proportion of the them have been directed into employment under the Manpower Regulations and many will probably require assistance into permanent jobs after the war. Furthermore, though the great majority manage to find themselves employment or return to their former work, thousands of them have required assistance from the Rehabilitation Department in other ways, including housing, furniture and miscellaneous forms of financial help. Some Employers Criticised “I should like to emphasise that, on the whole, the relations between the Department and private employers are on a most cordial and co-operative basis, but there have been a few cases, regrettable as they are rare, in which the employers have had to be reminded of their moral obligation toward their former employees. I have a list of 24 such cases reported from the four main centres, five of them having required action by the Labour Department. The number of these cases is certainly small, but shows that legislation compelling employers to reinstate former workers is highly necessary and has. no doubt, prevented many more cases of evasion by employers of their obligation. “The main headings showing the disposal of demobilised personnel are as follows: Not yet discharged, returned to service, on leave, in hospital, recuperating, etc., 12,568; undergoing full-time training. 1658; placed with pre-service employer, 15,592; placed without subsidy with other private employer. 8348; self-placed with other private employer, 12.556; placed without subsidy in State employ. 714; selfplaced without subsidy in State employ. 616; placed with subsidy in intermediate scheme. 21; returned to own business or farm, 2558; acquired own business, or farm, 2379. Of the 2379 shown as having acquired their own businesses or farm. 1571 were assisted with a rehabilitation loan.”