REPATRIATION

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160692, 3 July 1920, Page 5

REPATRIATION

WHAT AUSTRALIA HAS DONE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, Eeccivcd July 3, 10 a.in. MELBOURNE, July 3. Referring to the achievements of the Repatriation Department, Senator Milieu said that 194.000 soldiers had sought assistance at the conclusion of the' war and 178,000 were accommodated. Only three per cent, were awaiting employment.

PROGRESS OP WORK IN NEW ZEALAND. The work of the Repatriation Department is reviewed by the Director, Mr J. R. Samson, in a return, issued at the end of last month. He, “There are at the present time 77,828 names on the register of the Repatriation Department, and demobilisation cards are distributed throughout the various districts as follow. Auckland 17,800, Wellington 22,359, Canterbury 10*408, Otago 9,432, Head Office 17,829; total 77,828. Employment. —No great difficulty is being experienced in securing employment for "discharged soldiers, and applicants arc usually placed in suitable positions within a few days of registration. Up to the 20th June 18,051 men had befen placed by the Department, and there were on that date 151 awaiting employment. As five of the had been on the “Employment Wanted” Ec--rister for a week or more, they were being paid sustenance allowances. It was feared in some quarters thau thcio might possibly be a recrudescence of unemployment amongst discharged soldiers during the winter months, but, happily, this fear has proved to be groundless, as it is interesting to note that the number unemployed at mid-winter was actually the smallest on record. In the Auckland and Otago districts there has not been a single case requiring payment of unemployment sustenance dming tho past sx months. Training.—Vocational training (with sustenance or subsidy) has been arranged for 4672 men, and 144-5 have already finished their courses, leaving 3237 still being trained in special soldier classes and mechanical schools, or in the workshops and factories of private employers. In addition to this, tools and text hooks have been granted to 989 students who are attending evening classes at universities or commercial colleges, or who are studying by correspondence with recognised institutions. Officers of the “After Care” branch of the Department visit the trainees periodically, and reports show that the latter are almost Avithout exception making splendid progress. The latest returns indicate that the number completing training monthly is now in excess of the number commencing, so that henceforth there will probably he a steady decrease in expenditure. Up to date .£155,033 has been expended on training facilities, sustenance, subsidies, etc. Financial Assistance—Applications for financial assistance continue to come in freely, and up to the 20th June 3864 loans for the purpose of acquiring or establishing businesses had been approved by the Ministerial Board, involving an expenditure of .£878,927. In addition to this 8403 men have been granted loans for tho purchase of household furniture, tools, etc., and a further 2948 have received financial assistance in other directions, the amount paid to or on behalf of soldiers under all headings totalling =61,222,854. Repayments. —The amount collected by the Department np to May 31st, 1920, in reduction of. loans granted Avas .£165,180, and less than 5 per cent, of the 12,367 men Avho have been granted loans are in arrear with their payments. Instalments amounting to ,£26,477 were collected during the month of May. 1 The following is a summary of assistance rendered: Placed in employment ... 18,051 Trained or in training 5,661 Financially assisted 15,215 Total 38,927