ERS news-letter

Cue (NZERS), Issue 34, 31 October 1945, Page 34

ERS news-letter

University Examinations in New Zealand. —-Special examinations are •being held in New Zealand in February, 1946, for servicemen returning after August 31 of this year and it is hoped to include the.. Accountancy Professional- examinations as well as all ordinary Degree subjects. • Trade: Training Wage Scale- In the Third Edition of Serviceman. to Civilian and in earlier articles in CUE the starting- 'wage in Trade Training Centres and generally under the Trade Training Scheme was given as L 5 ss. Confirmation of the - raising of this commencing wage to L 5 15s Od per week has now been received. >*: Secondary School _ Teachers. —-Since .the notification in CUE 32 that information of further interest to secondary 'school teachers was available, a newsletter has been received from the Secondary Schools’ Association giving considerable information on the new salary scale, the new grading scheme, Superannuation, training, staffing and Other matters. ERS Dets, have supplies. .. Rehabilitation of. Radio Servicemen.—' War. Assets Realisation Board has a surplus of radio equipment, tools, components r and materials to dispose of. First priorities will be the Armed Forces, Government departments and commercial requirements of a highly essential character. After these have been satisfied the next priority is ex-servicemen returned from overseas who desire to re-establish

the radio servicing business which they closed down on entering the Armed Forces. . Men ; who come within this classification should, on return, apply for their requirements through- their Rehabilitation Officer. Tools of trade, radio- components and materials, may, if available, then be purchased direct from the War Assets Rehabilitation Board, which has prepared a schedule of what it considers the standard maximum stock necessary for re-estab-lishing a radio lservicin[g business'. This schedule is held by HQ ERS and a copy can be supplied to anyone interested. . It should be noted that this priority applies only to- those wishing to open a business formerly closed down on entering the Services. Priority can be given to - ex-employees wishing to start in business for the first time, only in exceptional cases. Further the W.A.R.B. does not undertake to replenish a stock for a man once established. He must ensure that he can himself effect such replenishment through ordinary trade channels. Jjc ❖ $ Karltane Nursing. 'Many members of the W.A.A.C., particularly those who have been nursing during the war, are. interested in the possibility of post-war training in Karitane nursing. A number of nursing sisters also wish to take the course to obtain the qualification of Plunket Nurse. The Rehabilitation Department has announced that assistance will be available for both classes of trainees. - The length of the course is sixteen months, and the fee for training D 40.. while

trainees -arc not paid. The Department will, in approved cases, pay the fees and allowances of DIO to purchase necessary uniforms and of D2 for purchase of books. In addition, a sustenance allowance is paid at the rate of L 3 3s a week for trained nurses and LI 10s a week for untrained nurses. Intending trainees should not, however, anticipate that a vacancy will be available as soon as their application is approved. The Karitane Hospitals have long waiting lists, and even though preference will be given to suitable servicewomen, there is .certain to be a delay of greater or less extent before entry. * V , Railway Instructional Courses. — A number of servicemen, railway employees in civil life, have. written to the School of Education requesting study courses as prepared by the Railway Department. It would appear that these men have information supplied to the effect that these courses are available through N.Z. School of Education "when such is not the case. Correspondence to New Zealand requesting information on this subject has not yet resulted in the Railway Department’s making available to the N.Z. School, of Education any courses covering phases, of railway work and administration. 'Should any courses become available this information will be published in CUE. Railway employees in the Armed Forces overseas can well employ their time taking one or more -of the regular courses provided when such will assist towards their later studies. * * * Minimum Wage for Trainees. — Rehabilitation Board’s Trade Training Centres were some time ago declared. essential undertakings, and trainees therefore come under the pref visions of the Minimum Weekly Wage (Essential Undertakings) Order 1945. The benefits of the minimum wage operate mainly in respect of time lost

on account of wet weather and to that extent first year trainees have always received the normal weekly wage in spite of any weather interruptions.

■ Carpentry trainees during their extension training period will be entitled to a minimum of LG a week under the order, unless absent through sickness, accident or their own default. Previously carpentry extension trainees under the Building Modification Order conditions had a different minimum wage basis but this Order was revoked as from .August 1, 1945, and all extension trainees are now working under award conditions on a fortyhour week basis. ~ your local Rehabilitation Officer* first.” — Most of the advice about, how to go\about things- when .you, return starts with these words. To expedite the granting of loans and settling of affairs and to bring the 'valuable . local knowledge of District Committees to bear in advising servicemen, the Rehabilitation Board has delegated many cf its functions to local committees. In spite of this many men are still applying direct to the head office for information and assistance. It doesn’t help them at all. As all detailed personal files are held in the appropriate District Offices, the matter is duly referred back there and that takes time. Much quicker action would have been obtained by going there in the first place. If -you fail to get satisfaction from your local Rehabilitation Officer or Committee, by all means appeal to the head office. That is your right. But do give your own Rehabilitation Officer a chance first. He can almost certainly satisfy you and if he can’t he himself will refer the matter to the head office. Remember that the local committees were set up to speed things up for you and to give you the benefit of the members’ local knowledge’. ■ The system is working and working well. - Give it a chance to work for you.