H—lB

SECTION IV.—DEMOBILIZATION 1. The progress of demobilization to 31st March, 1946, is shown in Table VI of the Appendix, from which it will be noted that the total of 151,400 consists of 106,989 overseas personnel and 44,411 home servicemen and servicewomen. 2. It is of interest to mention that at 31st March, 1946, the roll strengths of serving personnel were as follows : Overseas .. .. .. .. 6,786 Home service .. .. .. .. 18,988 Total .. .. .. .. 25,774 3. The total of personnel eligible or to become eligible for rehabilitation benefits under the Rehabilitation Act, 1941, and its amendments at 31st March, 1946, may therefore be placed at 177,174, made up as follows : Demobilized personnel .. .. .. 151,400 Serving personnel .. .. .. .. 25,774 Total .. .. .. .. 177,174 4. In addition to these figures, certain classes now being mobilized for duty as ■occupation troops, &c, will ultimately become eligible for different forms of rehabilitation .assistance. SECTION V.—PROVISION FOR THE DISABLED (i) Disabled Servicemen's Re-establishment League 1. The Disabled Servicemen's Re-establishment League has continued to act as the agent of the Board in the training of disabled ex-servicemen. 2. In addition to the Vocational Training Centres at Wellington and at Dunedin, .a similar centre was opened at Christchurch during the year, and a suitable building is being reconstructed at Invercargill. 3. At each of the above cities, as well as at the League workshops at Auckland .and at Napier, the League is, with the assistance of subsidies provided by the Board, training disabled men in a variety of occupations which will enable them ultimately to take their place as economic units of the community. Retail shops are operated by the League in all these centres, and these provide a ready means for the disposal of the products of League training centres. 4. During the year ended 31st March, 1946, 84 men completed their training and were placed in private industry, and at the same date 204 were undergoing training (see Table XVIII for details). (ii) Blinded Servieemen's Trust Board 1. Following the incorporation of the Blinded Servicemen's Trust Board, a suitable property at Maungakiekie, Auckland, was acquired and reconstructed to provide suitable living-quarters and training facilities for ex-servicemen whose sight had been lost or seriously impaired whilst on active service. 2. This training centre, appropriately named New Zealand St. Dunstan's, was •officially opened in November, 1945, and at 31st March, 1946, twenty-one men were receiving training there. Training at New Zealand St. Dunstan's has a twofold purpose —firstly, to provide the blinded serviceman with a basic course of training in Braille, typewriting, &c, and, secondly, to prepare him'psychologically and otherwise to enter industrial or commercial life. When this preliminary period of training is ■completed the intention will normally be that the ex-serviceman is placed in some form of suitable occupation under a special subsidized training scheme.

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