WORK OF REPATRIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16470, 5 July 1921, Page 7

WORK OF REPATRIATION.

LATEST PROGRESS RETURN Twenty-eight- months’ operations up to June 20 1921. are covered in the latest progress return issued W Mr J. It. Samson, Director of Repatriation. The report states;— The register of tho Department now contains*thef names of 79,487 discharged soldiers. Employment.—Since its inception tho Department has placed 24,192 discharged soldiers in employment and the number remaining on the “Employment Wanted” Register at the date ffiis report is 398. distributed throughout the various districts as follows:—Auckland District 115. Wellington 122, Canterbury 70 Otago 91. During the, past month applications for employment were received from 718 men and 505 of the men were

“ placed.” Unemployment sustenance was paid in three cases of hardship. Training.—The vocational training of nartially-disablod soldiers unable, owinig to war disabilities, to resume their pre-war occupations, and of apprentices or others who have lost opportunity through war service, has been a special feature of the Departoperations, and training has been arranged for 7090 men. Of this number 4482 trainees have completed their courses and have been absorbed in the various industries, leaving 1260 still undergoing training. An additional 1348-students have been assisted financially with grants for tho payment of fees and the purchase of textbooks. All trainees are carefully supervised by experienced officers of the Department and reports indicate that*, almost without exception, the men are making excellent progress. During the past month 54 men commenced training, whilst 16*2 completed their courses and were drafted out to employment. The total expenditure to date on training facilities, sustenance of trainees, etc., is £340,787. After-care. —The placing of the seriously disabled man in a calling and environment suited to his particular disability is the especial task of tho After-care Branch of. the Department, and thoroughly qualified officers have been appointed for the work. Amputees and otiier seriously disabled men receive individual attention, and chest cases arc under the care of an officer with sanatorium experience. Financial Assistance.—Loans to assist discharged soldiers to establish themselves in businesses or professions have been granted in 5721 eaes. at an expenditure of £1,058 600. A further 12,257 men have received advances totalling £570.352 for the purchase of household furniture or tools of trade, and 3701 others have been granted financial assistance in other directions, the amount paid to or on behalf of soldiers under all headings being £1,981.683. Repayments. —At May 31, 1921. the amount collected in repayment of loan amounted to £088.178. or more than one-third of the total advances. Collections for the month of Mav were £38.825, a rate of over £460,000 per annum. SUMMARY OF ASSISTANCE RENDERED. Nature of Assistance. Number Amount Loans— Assisted. £ Business .... 6,721. & 1,058,600 Furniture, tools, etc . 12,257 570,353 Training sustenance, etc. 7,090 340.783 Transportation . . 2,622 6,6 L 0 Unemploj'ment sustenance 1,079 5,332 Placed in employment . 24,192