REPATRIATION SCHEME.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 105, 7 November 1918, Page 1

REPATRIATION SCHEME.

To be Laid Before Farmers 1 Union Branches. At the meeting on Thursday of the Executivo of the Thames ': Valley Sub-provincial Farmers' union a letter was received from the provincial secretary enclosing the following outline of a Repatriation scheme proposed by the Auckland Returned Soldiers' association and the Second DiviI sion League : | I (a)ThattheGovernmentadopt I the principle of extending State responsibility to all soldiers and their dependents from discharge or demobilisation until full rehabilitation in civil life. (b) Such State responsibility primarily to take the form of a continuance of pay allowances and financial assistance as paid to the soldier and his dependents during active service for a minimum period of three months from date of discharge to be extended where necessary either wholly or partially as provided hereunder. (c) That no soldier be dis- ; charged while still requiring medical care or treatment. (d) That the benefits of this scheme be extended to returned men in position held by them pending a soldier's return and losing their employment in consequence of such return except that the minimum period under sub-clause (b) shall in such case be one month. II (a) That the Government appoint a Repatriation Commission of (say) seven members at once.

(b) That a Minister of the Crown be appointed chairman of such commission and that two of its members be returned soldiers. (c) That such Minister be the most capable man that can be found for the position and that he should not necessarily be a member of Parliament. (d) That the Repatriation Commission be given exclusive control of and be required to deal with the following matters : I The extension of the period of continuance of pay and allowance as mentioned in Clause I. II The formulation and carrying out of a Dominion scheme of vocational training for disabled or partially disabled men. 111 The settlement of discharged soldiers on the land including the disposal of -all the land purchased or otherwise made available for soldier settlement or soldiers' homes and making of advances to soldiers and the training and supervision of inexperienced men. IV The establishment and supervision of labor bureaux and other agencies for obtaining employment for returned men. (e) That the Commission appoint special local committee consisting of representatives of returned soldiers, second division leagues, local bodies, medical men, farming interests, employers and labor organisations to enquire into and report upon all repatriation matters arising in their districts and generally to assist the Commission in developing and carrying out its work. (f) That it be a recommendation to the Repatriation Commission that a scheme be established to enable returned or discharged men, particularly those who may have had to close down and sell out their businesses when called up for active service, to make a fresh start by granting them financial assistance in the form of loans at a low rate of interest. (g) That all necessary assistance be given to the Commission by existing Government departments both for obtaining information and for carrying its decisions into effect. Mr Whitehouse wanted to know how any body could be a Minister if he was not a member of Parliament. It was decided to comply with the request and forward a copy of the scheme to the various branches for consideration, and that the matter be fully discussed at the next meeting.