REPATRIATION OPERATIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14769, 7 October 1921, Page 7

REPATRIATION OPERATIONS

PROGRESS RETURN TO SEPT. 20, 1821. The Director of Repatriation (Mr J. R. Sanson) has issued the following report concerning operations up to September 30 last;—■ Employment.—The Department has placed 25,2*53 discharged soldiers in ernplnynienl, and there are 302 names on the “Employment Wanted” register (Auckland, 82, Wellington 105, Canterbury 72, Otago 43). These represent a decrease of 27, as compared with the previous month. Dur--1 ing Hie past month unemployment sustenance was paid in four cases of hardship. Training.—Vocational training has been arranged for 7225 partially disabled soldiers, apprentices, etc., and of this number 4 875 have completed their courses and have been absorbed in various industries, leaving fififi still undergoing training. An additional 1383 students have been assisted financially with grants for the payment of fees anil the purchase of textbooks. The total amount expended lo dale on the provision of facilities for training and for Ihe sustenance' of trainees during the (raining period is £359,534. The figures indicate that the work of the Department in respect to the training of discharged soldiers is fast drawing to a close. Willi the exception of the farms, Hie only men at present tiring trained are subsidised xVorkcrs in private workshops and factories, and apprentices. In August, 1920, the number being trained by the Department was 3053, whereas the number in training at the dale of this return is only fififi. During the 12 months mentioned 838 men commenced their training, whilst no less than 2925 completed their courses and obtained employment in the trades or industries in which they had bccnalraincrl. Financial Assistance. —Loans to assist discharged soldiers to establish themselves in businesses or professions have been granted in 5899 eases at an expenditure of £1,089,(570. A further 13,078 men have received advances totalling £021,789 for the purchase of household furniture or tools of trade .and 3885 have been granted financial assistance in other directions, the amount paid to oc on behalf of soldiers under all headings being £2,083,387. Repayments.—Out of £1,711,400 advanced by way of lo'an to discharged soldiers, the amount collected as at 31st August, 1921, in repayment thereof totalled £700,255. Of this sum, £33,102 has been collected as interest, whilst Hie remainder—£o73,ls3 —represents actual repayments of principal. The principal repayments, therefore, already amount to 40 per cent of the total loan advances. Although during (he past few months discharged soldiers have, in common with other members of. Hie community, experienced difficulty in meeting llieir obligations promptly, the Department is pleased to be able lo report that £Ol has been collected for each £IOO accrued due (principal and intcrcsl). Expenditure on soldiers for the month of August amounted to £31,90.3, whilst repayment collections for the same period totalled £41,890.