The Question BOX

Cue (NZERS), Issue 33, 15 October 1945, Page 39

The Question BOX

Question (from a W.A.A.C): My fiancee is not, and has not been, in the services. When we get married can I apply for a housing loan? Answer: Such a loan is uhlikely to be granted as the department Considers the responsibility of home and furniture as normally the husband’s. New Zealand still does not recognise the equality of the sexes, unfortunately for you. Unless your service in the forces has affected yciur mutual financial position for the worse, which is unlikely, the loan will not be considered.

Question: Is it necessary for an exserviceman, in applying for rehabilitation farming assistance, to disclose the assets owned by him when lodging his application ? Answer: The withholding of information regarding assets is not in the ex-serviceman’s interests, for the reason that quite often properties are offered to the Rehabilitation Department for which finance in excess of the loan limits is required and for which only those ex—servicemen who have finance of their own are eligible to apply. Registers of ex-servicemen who have private finance are kept by Rehabilitation Officers which are referred to immediately such a property is offered to the department. It will, therefore, be obvious to you that if an ex-serviceman has finance available

which he docs not disclose on his application form, he may lose an opportunity of acquiring one of these properties which are valued in excess of the rehabilitation loan limits. Further, even if an ex-serviceman lodges an application for the purchase of a farm which is within the loan limits, it is considered that it is in the exserviceman’s own interests to make any surplus cash he has available to assist his settlement thereon.

Question: Is it possible for a civil servant on his return to New Zealand to be granted a period of leave of absence without pay in order to study for another occupation and yet not jeopardise his position with the Government service should he be unsuccessful in his new venture and wish to return? Answer: In order to assist the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen the Public Service Commissioner will consider granting up to eighteen months’ leave without pay to officers who desire to undertake employment outside the Public Service. From experience it has been found that many ex-service-men are unable to settle down in the service on the completion of their military duties, and the object of this concession is to facilitate their reemployment if they so desire.

Question: What possibility have I of going to Massey College, or similar

institution, for a course, on my return to New Zealand? Answer: Only men with satisfactory practical experience are approved for courses at the agricultural colleges. Full-time tuition at Lincoln and Massey Agricultural Colleges, where it is approved, is provided under the conditions and for the periods appropriate to the available courses. While pursuing such courses student trainees are

paid at the following rates by the board:—Single men L2 a week plus board and lodging; married men L 4 a week plus board and lodging. In addition, the board, meets, the college fees and expenses incurred in connection with books, instruments and other study material. The value of refresher courses for fully experienced men is recognised by the beard and local committees and application from this class receive careful consideration.