WELLINGTON REPATRIATION BOARD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 144, 13 March 1919, Page 4

WELLINGTON REPATRIATION BOARD

• APPLICATIONS FOR LOANS. Mr. T. Shailer Weston presided over a meeting of the District Board on Tuesday. Twent3 r -oiie applications for loans were considered; and it was found again that every case had difficulties peculiar to itself. ,

The district officer (Mr. C. W. Batten) stated, that examination of the applica- ' tions showed that the applicants had '

made little or no inquiry into the business in some cases. Evidence,was also shown of attempts by vendors to exploit the soldier, who, of course, had to repayto the Government, the amount paid for the business. Apparently vendors had in some cases conceived the idea that money v was' being advanced indiscriminately by the Department, and an attempt was being made to play one prospective soldier-buyer atjoinst the other. The board was fully alive to the position, and would not neglect any precautions to safeguard the soldier and the State. On the other hand, there were cases which showed careful consideration and sound business judgment, and'where, it was felt that the applicant was entitled to the assistance of the State, loans had been made.-

Mr. Batten stated that a great number of applications had been received for loans to establish taxicab- and motor carrying businesses. So far no grant had actually been made for this purpose. Special reasons would lave to be shown before the board would assist a man in starting a, taxi business, since it was non-productive and already overcrowded.