RETURNING SOLDIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1943, Page 3

RETURNING SOLDIERS

TRAINING AND OTHER PLANS OUTLINED BY MINISTER. PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT. (Bv To] pgranh—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 27. Continuing his statement on rehabilition plans reported in part in an earlier message, the Minister of National Service (Mr Semple) said all existing technical and correspondence school facilities were available, free of charge, to ex-Service men or women, and in addition arrangements would, shortly be announced in detail regarding other special facilities. They would provide for: — (1) Free places in technical schools and bursaries to selected men for postprimary and university education. (2) Post-graduate scholarships of £250 per annum up to three years. (3) Men selected for full-time tuition at universities in medicine, dentistry, etc., to be paid sustenance at the same rates as trade trainees, plus the cost of fees, books, etc. (4) Students under 2 and 3 may be required to serve the New Zealand Government for a period of three years. (5) Grants to cover cost of books for approved courses other than at a university. Furthermore, added the Minister, a considerable sum for bursaries for Service men, Service men’s children, and for books, instruments, fees and materials was being set aside. The Rehabilitation Division, through its local officers, was responsible for finding employment for all ex-Service men or women needing help. To date it had been directly responsible for placing 571 returned men and one returned woman, 1,361 demobilised men and 2 demobilised women in employment of various kinds. In addition to the employment arranged through the rehabilitation officers, men regarded as unemployable were being trained in special occupations at vocational training centres set up and operated by the Disabled Service men’s Re-establish-ment League. More far-reaching plans for the league’s operations were envisaged. The creation of up-to-date vocational centres was being put in hand. A survey of the absorptive capacity of various local bodies, as far as works that needed to be put in hand were concerned, was at present being carried out, and a comprehensive plan was in process of formation to ascertain the absorptive capacity of industry from time to time, and opportunities therein for men suffering from various disabilities, as well as those who were fit, but not specially trained. The auxiliary workers’ training scheme was in process of conversion to a rehabilitation trade training scheme.