CIVILIANS AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 228, 23 June 1944, Page 4

CIVILIANS AGAIN

Demobilization From Armed Forces

REHABILITATION IN TRADE & INDUSTRY

Men and women demobilized from the New Zealand armed forces at tl end of May totalled 45,479, of whom 24,380 had returned from overseas and 21,099 were home service personnel. These figures, which are given in returns compiled by tin; Rehabilitation Department showing the extent of assistance given up to May 31, were made available last night by the Minister of Rehabilitation, Major Skinner. The number of womdn demobilized was 754—244 from overseas and 540 who had been on home service. 'There have been 1400 Maoris demobilized, 850 of these having returned from overseas. Members of the forces who returned from overseas during May totalled 1044, and demobilizations of home service personnel for that month numbered 622. The rehabilitation position at May 31 was as follows:—

total 284. Training for Trades. A footnote to the returns states that a good deal of exploratory work has been done in the direction of providing opportunities for ex-servicemen to enter skilled trades and semi-skilled occupations. Attention was being given to evaluation, on a civil employment basis, of the trade training afforded by the armed forces. A comprehensive report had been received in respect of the Air Force training. The Labour Department had been asked to second an officer to examine the Army and Navy training, but so far he had not been released for that purpose. Discussions had been held with representatives of refrigeration engineering, and it was confidently expected that future employees in that expanding field of employment would be mainly ex-ser-vicemen. Scales of subsidies and periods of training in watchmaking. grocery, mercery, ant! so on, had also been framed. The establishment of carpentry training centres in Invercargill and Kaikohe had been delayed pending receipt from the Army of details of existing buildings which might be suitable ,and available for the purpose. In addition, Cabinet authority covering Auckland (second school), Gisborne, Timaru and Westport \had now been received, but the commencement of any new schools was governed by the difficulty of securing sufficient tools. Educational Facilities.

Educational facilities have up to the present been provided for 543 former members of the armed forces. Full-time bursaries have been granted to 190, assistance by way of fees and books has been given to 310, miscellaneous small grants have been made to 38, and five overseas bursaries have been granted. The overseas bursaries have been in genetics, arts, town-planning, science and chiropody. Training in various types of farming is being undertaken by 73, while 16 have completed their agricultural training. Rehabilitation loan authorizations to May 31 total £2,561,011, the number of applications approved being 4550. The loans were granted for the purchase of farms, houses, furniture, and tools of trade, and for financing the building of dwellings and entry into business. Disbursements by way of rehabilitation allowances amounted to £277,880. The amount so far authorized by local rehabilitation committees in varying sums up to £lO was £1292.

Demobilized Returned from from Home Overseas. Not jet discharged, returned to service on leave, in hospital, reService. cuperating, etc Intentions undecided, b.obi 2.726 but following up ... Undergoing full-time 268 166 training Placed with pre-service 723 209 employer Self-placed with pre328 268 service employer .... Placed without subsidy with other private 4,061 6,876 employer Self-placed with other 2,431 3,150 private employer .... Placed .without subsidy in State ent4,701 4,313 ploy Self-placed without sub294 234 sidy in State employ Returned to own bust317 195 ness or farm Acquired own business 661 1,473 or farm Depending on private 896 456 means Refused help, unable to trace, temporar21 130 ily lost contact 184 633 Enrolled for placement 62 28 Left New Zealand 76 27 Deceased Established a home 80 97 (women) 50 118 Totals 34,380 21,099 The amputees returned from this war