5

H.—3o

TRAINING OF DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

In this graph the light shading shows the number of men for whom training has been arranged each month. The dark shading shows the total number actually in training at the 20th of each month. Section III. After-care Work. A branch of the Department was set up to deal with the after-care of seriously disabled soldiers, especially the blind, tubercular, limbless, &c. Creat success attended the efforts of the after-care officers, who did much in inducing soldiers to take up suitable occupations, arranging training, &e. The officers covered a wide area in their tours of inspection, but during the past year, as most of the incapacitated men had been repatriated, the work of the After-care Branch was absorbed in the Head Office and the four District Offices. (a.) Blind Soldiers. —Twenty-four men who lost their sight at the war have returned to New Zealand. They have all had valuable training at St. Dunstan's in England, and it is pleasing to report that they are comfortably settled in the Dominion, and, notwithstanding their grave disability, appear to be most cheerful and contented. (6.) Tuberculosis. —This disease is probably the most serious of all the disabilities that come under the notice of the Department. This was early recognized, and a sound policy was adopted. During the past year the Department's Special Tuberculosis Officer has conducted a thorough inspection throughout New Zealand, interviewing men who have any chest trouble, such as pleurisy, pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, or tuberculosis. Already some 1 ,765 such cases have been interviewed, and of this number 1,009 were medically examined, 55 were sent into the Sanatorium for the necessary treatment, 54 into hospital, and 375 made out-patients of hospital, and 29 were transferred from their present surroundings, either on account of climatic conditions or their present occupations being unsuitable, whilst 793 houses were inspected to see whether the living-conditions were satisfactory. In addition to the training available to these men at Tauherenikau in poultry-raising, beekeeping, and marketgardening, efforts have been made to train a number in some suitable light outdoor work, including bootmaking, outside plumbing, motor-driving, carpentering, and painting. Our officers are in the closest touch with the Defence Department (which arranges the best of treatment, provision of shelters, &c), the Pensions Department (which attends to the regular payment of the pensions due;), and the Lands Department (which gives special attention to the settling of tubercular men on the land). (e.) Limbless Men. —About, 960 soldiers returned to New Zealand suffering from amputation of limbs, and the Department spared no efforts in their repatriation. Suitable training and employment was arranged for all who on account of their disabilities could not resume their pre-war occupation, and it is gratifying to report that most of these maimed men are now settled.