REPATRIATION.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16424, 18 January 1919, Page 10

REPATRIATION.

SOLDIERS AND ARCHITECTURE.

"This is a question in which there will 150 uumeroiis (difficulties to overcome, hat there can .he no .difference of opinion that., in tho~interests of- the men thent* selves, eyery reasonable endeavour must bo made to hasten their return to' cim life and profitaole employment"—so said) Mr C. Lawrence, retiring president, m his annual address to the New Zealand Institute.of .Architects at Wellington/ on Thursday,' in ; referring to. the problem of the repatriation of soldiers. Mr Lawrence went on to say that, as many soldiers, had become accustomed to an ■ outdoor • life, it will be natural that they will wish to settle on the land. But, as they expect to have some of the. .advantages and benefits, of town dwellers,-it would appear that it •will'-be necessary to establish soldiers' village settlements. ' • , . ' ' . Mt- Lawrence also referred to the commencement, in the hospitals in tho Old Country, and on returning _ transports, ;to; give soldiers instruction, m various professions and trades, including architecture -Mid - building.- Nothing could- be said against so worthy an object, hut the instruction so given should be' such-that the -soldier will hare a reasonable chance to "make good" in the occupation.lie elects to - follow. The times allowed in the syllabus published) at Headquarters in • England, for the study of architecture were altogether inadequate to do more than give a very rudimentary knowledge of the subject, and, unless further opportunity was to be given-in the Dominion for further training, the time tho men had so far* spent .will be wasted. It was to be-re-gretted that the authorities, before drawing up the syllabus had not consulted with thoso bodies who are directly interested in" the subjects, and who would have been prepared to give expert and gratuitous advice.