H—lB

where the establishment of men in this field can he regarded as a permanent re-establish-ment measure. The whole question of financing men into this type of activity will be reviewed as soon as the position with regard to licenses at present suspended is clarified and an indication is available of the volume and continuity of transport work offering. 7. Throughout the year a number of ex-Army trucks have been made available, but, in general, these have been of the heavier types, and there are a large number of ex-servicemen in need of the lighter types of trucks. Arrangements were made with truck-importers for some measure of preference to be given to applications from ex-servicemen for new trucks where such are essential to their effective rehabilitation. 8. Supplies of used Army cars are now practically negligible, and high prices are demanded on the open market for all types of second-hand cars. Motor-vehicle importers have promised their co-operation with the object of ensuring that ex-servicemen urgently needing cars for their rehabilitation receive high priority in the allocations of new cars. (iii) Other Licensed Industries 1. During the year applications to the Bureau of Industry from ex-servicemen requiring licenses or transfers thereof showed a steady increase, particularly in petrol reselling and radio and footwear manufacturing. For the year, 71 petrol reselling licenses, 5 footwear, 8 radio, 1 apple-juice manufacturing, and 7 pharmacy licenses were granted to ex-servicemen. 2. Regulations were brought down during the year empowering the Bureau when considering applications to take into account the settlement of discharged servicemen in civil life, and every effort has been made by the Bureau to approve ex-servicemen's applications where these were consistent with the maintenance of industrial efficiency, which is, of course, the primary purpose of the Industrial Efficiency Act. 3. In general, the position in the pharmacy and petrol-reselling industries provides scope for further new licenses for ex-servicemen, but in the footwear and radio manufacturing field there is little scope under present conditions for further new establishments of any size. The position in these two latter fields is being closely examined in order to find ways and means of settling ex-servicemen, either singly or in groups, in economic businesses. 4. Throughout the year discharged servicemen have been given every consideration in respect to their applications for film exhibitors' licenses. The regulations amending the Cinematograph Act were unavoidably delayed during the year, but should be brought down in the very near future and will provide for a preference for exservicemen's applications. As and when building restrictions ease it is anticipated that ex-servicemen will obtain a fuller share of the business offering in this field. (iv) Agricultural Contracting With a view to assisting national production, as well as ex-servicemen themselves, a number of suitable men have received financial assistance to enable them to be established as agricultural contractors. Most of these ex-servicemen have operated with satisfactory results, but with the number now established, together with the gradually improving agricultural plant situation, the Board is doubtful whether many additional ex-servicemen should now be assisted in this direction. (v) Business Supplies 1. Arrangements were made during the year for the War Assets Realization Board to give some measure of preference to applications from ex-servicemen, and these have enabled well over two thousand ex-servicemen to obtain certain of their requirements such as loose tools, &c, from surplus war assets. Negotiations are now taking place with the object of further improving the liaison with the War Assets Realization Board, and providing increased facilities for ex-servicemen.

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