H—lB

of " B " Class trainees were asked to agree to the increase conditionally on the Board agreeing to increase proportionately the subsidy payable. The majority of employers readily acceded to the Board's request, and existing contracts were adjusted accordingly. In the few cases where employers were not prepared to bear a proportionate cost of the wage increase, the Board arranged to stand this cost, as it was felt undesirable that any trainee giving satisfactory service should fail to receive the benefit of the general wage increase. SECTION IX.—EDUCATION (i) Administration 1. The very large increase in the number of applications dealt with during the year under review furnishes ample evidence of the value which ex-service personnel are attaching to the facilities available to them. 2. In granting educational assistance, the Board not only considers the ability of the applicant to undertake the course, but also the prospects of employment in the profession in which the student wishes to qualify. All rehabilitation students are undertaking studies several years later than is normal, and it is the desire of the Board that after their difficult period of study in these later years they will receive the maximum benefit by obtaining employment commensurate with their qualifications. 3. Everything possible is therefore being done to ensure that the ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen will not waste valuable years in studying for a profession for which they are unsuited cr in which there are not satisfactory prospects of employment. 4. Although the majority of the applications so far approved have been in respect of assistance to continue studies interrupted by service in the Forces, a large number of ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen with long overseas service have been assisted to commence study for careers which interested them in pre-service days, but for which they may not have had the means to undertake study. (ii) Facilities granted 1. Applications approved for various types of educational assistance totalled 7,525 for the year under review, as against 989 for the previous year and 397 for the year ended 31st March, 1944. 2. This very substantial increase, which brings the total of applications granted to 8,911, had been in a large measure anticipated, and it is satisfactory to report that organization was able to cope with the demand placed on its services. 3. Tables XI and XII set out the total facilities and details of courses being undertaken as at 31st March, 1946. (iii) Extra Tutorial Assistance Many ex-servicemen who had had a long break on service experience difficulty in settling down to their studies. To meet the needs of these men the Rehabilitation Board has provided the University colleges throughout New Zealand with the necessary finance to enable them to conduct special tutorial classes for ex-servicemen. This tutorial assistance is in addition to the usual classes, and from the reports received it is apparent that the ex-servicemen are deriving considerable benefit from the scheme, (iv) Children of Deceased and Disabled Servicemen 1. The responsibility for the education of the children of deceased and disabled servicemen through the primary and secondary school stages is undertaken by the Education Department from funds provided under the War Bursaries Regulations 1941 and amendment. The amount of the bursary awarded where eligible children attend for full-time secondary education has been increased from £5 to £25 per annum as from the Ist February, 1946. The Rehabilitation Board is interested in the children from an

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