ENGLISH SOJOURN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 55, 7 March 1946, Page 6

ENGLISH SOJOURN

N.Z. TROOPS PROFITED BY STAY PREPARED FOR CIVIL LIFE For those New Zealanders who J spent .wne time in England awaiting transport home, everything possible' was done to prepare them for . their j return to civilian life. The story of 1 how this was accomplished has been told by Colonel W. E. Alexander, who was in charge of the New Zealand' Education Rehabilitation Service ini England from August. 1944, onwards, and who recently returned to this country, says a statement from the Rehabilitation Department. By far the most of the Now Zealanders provided for were released prisoners of war, 7000 of whom passed through the hands of Col. Alexander’s organisation. One of the first things these men needed was a brush-up on the war situation and news in gen- 1 eral, both of world and Dominion al - ■ fairs. Other facilities provided were , in the main educationl and informa- ' five. Information on rehabilitation and its administration was eagerly sought after, and many men took advantage of the special short courses offered, including the opportunity Jo,

sit for examinations of the University of New Zealand. Many had already studied in prisoner-of-war camps, aided by the International Red. Cross. While there they regularly received New Zealand University schedules and material from the Now Zealand university representative in T-nndon and lhe registrar of the University of London. Everything was done tn give exprisoners the latest information re-

garding rehabilitation, together with individual advice and guidance. Besides this servicemen w<’e act* ly encouraged to employ their time usefully with an eye to their civilian future. On the cultural side, talks were given by informed civilians, as well as musical, dramatic and film presentations. Extensive libraries provided books for leisure reading, while a London firm supplied sets of textbooks. There was also a library of New Zealand publications and a complete assortment of New Zealand textbooks. WEEKLY NEWSPAPER In spite of paper shortages the British Ministry of Supply was able to stretch a point wtyen the New Zealanders sought to bring out their own weekly new spaper. The journal v as named the "Southern Cross," and been me veryuiopular with all ranks. On the basis -*f one copy per man it had a circulation of 6000 and was distributed from Ceylon to Iceland. It contained cabled news from New Zealand, news of New Zealanders in England, of the activities of the Middle East Division, and information on rei habilitation. It was staffed by New [Zealanders and financed by the National Patriotic Funds Board, assisted by advertising. Its first editor was Mr. Robin Miller, at one lime New I Zealand war correspondent and recently covering the part being played by the New Zealand delegation at the United Nations conference in I omlon. Other publications by which Now Zealanders were kept informed on happemngs and the general situation in the Dominion wo’e “New Zealand To-day." which outlined, the mnjor changes of the war years, "Wartime Sport.” and a War Summary |.ubI'shed withi.i a week of VE-Day and. giving, besides a general history of the war, short accounts of the part played

by the Second and Third New’ Zealand Divisions, the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the achievement ol ultimate victory in Europe. Britain threw open lhe doors of her universities and other teaching institutions. At many universities in England or Scotland, including Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and St. Andrew’s, New' Zealanders weie able to attend for a week, living-in like regu- ; lap students and having special lecI tures provided for them. Over 109 i New Zealanders attended these courses at 17 universities. | "This,” said Col. Alexander, “was 'just one example of how the British I people did everything they could to j make the jjtay of Dominion troops In I their midst ax interesting, instructive and: enjoyable as possible.” British firms, together with tho I British Council, relevant Ministries land various institutions worked in I wholeheartedly Io make the special [attachment scheme a success. This ■ scheme was initiated by the New' Zealland authorities in England to provide men with short, refresher courses in I their civilian occupations. As a result [several hundred Now Zealanders'Army, Naw and Air Force—were at'.tached to British firms and instituIt’ons for periods up to two months. 'Snecial attachments and tours were I also arranged for farmers. It was la scheme which should nay amnle dividends both in personal rehabilitation and as a contribution to the business, prnfes' ional trade and farming method ' in Jhi< cminirv.