AID TO SERVICEMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22513, 23 November 1944, Page 4

AID TO SERVICEMEN

ACTIVITIES TO DATE FARMS ADMITTED SCARCE A review of what had already been done and the general policy followed in the rehabilitation of ex-service-men was given by the rehabilitation officer (Hamilton), Mr D. Barrett, at a meeting convened by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and held in Toorak Chambers last night. Mr T. G. Reynolds, chairman of the Hamilton Rehabilitation Committee, presided. In an outline of the facilities the Rehabilitation Department had provided for servicemen, Mr Barrett pointed out that throughout the Dominion, up to September, 1944, 524 farms of a total value of £1,636,447 had been made available, 351 new residences, valued at £472,717, erected; and 1289 other houses purchased for £1,267,070. The 804 businesses financed accounted for £329,011, while 3727 furniture loans ran intp £338,511. Of these totals, 34i per cent of the farms were in the district controlled by the Hamilton office, 18 per cent of the new residences, 23 per cent of the businesses established and 14 2-3 per cent of the furniture loans made. System of Preference Mr Barrett dealt with the question of eligibility and explained how preference was given to those men with the greater length of service. Further, he pointed out, the assistance made available through the Rehabilitation Board would be open to those who required it within the next ten years. Dealing with the settlement of exservicemen on farms, the speaker said that the board had to be satisfied that the farm would be an economic unit, returning the serviceman a reasonable standard of living. There was a scarcity of the right, type of farm available at present, he admitted, and there were 650 servicemen, whose loans had been approved, waiting to find suitable properties. To date 534 had been settled. Mr Barrett explained the system under which servicemen were subsidised while learning a new trade or profession and the facilities made available to those who wished to complete some educational course. Mr W. S. Morrison, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce rehabilitation committee, dealt with the questionnaire sent out by the chamber in an endeavour to ascertain what would be the estimated number of men and women that could be absorbed into business and industry with a return to peacetime conditions. Through the information gained by this means it was hoped to be able to summarise the contemplated needs of post-war business. 56,341 DEMOBILISED The Minister of Rehabilitation, the Hon. C. F. Skinner, said that 56,341 servicemen and women were demobilised to October 31. Of these 31,687 were returned from overseas and 24,654 demobilised from home service. During October 2412 were demobilised, including 1701 from overseas. Of the grand total, 10,947 nad not been discharged from the forces. A total of 1517, of whom 1227 were from overseas and five were women, were receiving full-time training.