AFTER THE WAR

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 83, 25 July 1941, Page 6

AFTER THE WAR

Repatriation Of Men Now In Armed Forces

GOVERNMENT’S PLANS

Measures which the Government considers necessary to re-establish in civil life the thousands of men now in the armed forces, were outlined by Mr. Nash in his Budget speech.

Most of the work of repatriation can be carried out by existing departments and from the administrative point of view co-ordination and direction are the chief problems he said. It is proposed to bring down a Repatriation Bill this session which will deal with the matter on broad lines and set up a central authority. Land-settlement under the Lands and Survey Department has already been dealt with by the Small Farms Amendment Act, 1940, and its regulations. The State Advances Corporation, which has all the necessary machinery, will be used as the channel for loa'ns for the erection of houses and purchase of farms, furniture, tools-of-trade. These loans will be made on favourable terms and conditions to be determined by tne Government. Several free-of-interest loans up to £SO for tools have already been approved, and details of furniture loans are now under consideration.

The administration of other aspects of repatriation has proceeded steadily for some time. . Under the War Pensions Extension Act, 1940, sick or disabled men discharged from the forces receive full treatment and adequate pensions, while the State Placement Service acts as an employment and general after-care agency; in addition to interviewing and assisting each man in the first instance.

As a background to successful rehabilitation, the economic future of the Dominion, particularly in the post-war period, must receive very careful thought; We must endeavour so to direct the industrial make-up of New Zealand that suitable employment can be found not only for returned men, but also for the whole employable population.