COMMENT ON REHABILITATION IN BUDGET

Chronicle (Levin), 23 August 1947, Page 3

COMMENT ON REHABILITATION IN BUDGET

The following reference to rehabilitation was made in the Budget: — In eonformily with the Governinent's promise to eusuro tho suecessful rehabilitation into civil Jife of all exservicemen and servicewomen, very substantial progrcss has been made. Demobilisation, as reeorded by tho Rehabilitation Department, reached a total of 182, 510 to March 31 last, which indicates that demobilisation is now practically complete. 1 In addition to providing remunerative employment in industrv for those who desired it, the Kehabilitation Board's comprehensivo trade training and education schemes have proved of very material benelit to ex-service personnel to fit them for participation in the econoinic life of the country. ^ l'o date, trade training has been provided in 10,796 cases, farm training in 3147 eases, and educational assistance for 17,27o. As a further indication of the assistance provided by the Etate, it is men--tioned that to date no less than £51,000,000 has been expeudcd for rehabilitation purposes, as follows: — Loans for housing, farm-settleinent, purchase of businesses, furniture and tools of trade, .£40,000,000/ purchase and development of land for settlement, £7,000,000; trade training, £2,000,000; miscellaneous, £2,000,000; total £51,000,000. Notwithstanding the progress indi cated by these figures, a large actual and potential demand still exists for assistance, especiallv in respeet of housing and land-settlement.