WORK OF REPATRIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2124, 6 May 1920, Page 2

WORK OF REPATRIATION.

A PROGRESS return of the Repatriation Department showing the operations for a period of fourteen, months to April 20th, states that 'since the Department was established over 50,000 men have been returned to the Dominion. The Department lias secured employment foij 10,081 men, and only 10S names remain on the “employment wanted” register. The mapority of those remaining on the books registered during the last few days of (he period. There are now only nine men receiving unemployment sustenance allowances. These are men who could not be placed In employment by the Department within a week from the date of registration, and they will receive assistance until suitable positions are found for them. Vocational training Ims been arranged for 4,3.19 men, a further 121 having commenced training during the month prior to April 20th. Of the total mentioned 1,074 have Jin’shed their courses, leaving 3,245 still being (rained in special soldier (lasses or technical schools, and in ttie workshops and factories of private employers- throughout the Dominion. Each month considerably over 10(1 trainees , are taking 'positions as skilled workmen. The amount, expended to date for training facilities, suspended to trainees, etc., is £123,742. The Ministerial Board has approved 3,431 loans for the establishment of discharged soldiers in business, involving an expenditure of £784,422. Of this total approximately £400,000 is advances free of interest, and represents advances for furniture and tools of: trade, also business loans up to £SO. Amounts exceeding £SO for business loans are charged interest at the rate of 5 per cent. Up to March 20th the sum of £1,000,320 had actually been expended by the Department on behalf of soldiers. The report expresses gratification that grantee* are meeting their obligations promptly, and that less than 0 per cent, of the 9,730 men who have received loans are irregular in their payments. Up to March 31st the amount received in reduction of loans granted totalled £117,080, and in addidtion £5,103 had been collected as interest on business loans. During- Marc h the; amount collected by the Department from-assisted soldiers was £20,913.