REPATRIATION DEPARTMENT.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 12 April 1920, Page 4

REPATRIATION DEPARTMENT.

A YEAR'S WOBK. A report covering a year's operations of the Repatriation Department has been received, and contains some interesting facts regarding the Department's work. The report is for the period ending February 20, 1920. The report: states that the Department's registrar now comprises the names of 77,128 men. and of this number 50,4G3 have returned to the Dominion since the beginning of 1919.

Employment. During the month just ended 10.13 men were placed in suitable employment, making a. total placement to date of 15,106. The number remaining on the " employment wanted" register of the Department at February 20th was 175. During the month under review 40 men were granted unemployment sustenance allowance, and 14 were receiving this form of assistance at the date of this report. Training. The vocational traiaiag of partially disabled soldiers, apprentices, etc., is receiving careful attenliooi, iuid up to the present time training has been arranged tor 3838 men, 3,12 of whom commenced during the past month. Strict supervision is exercised over the trainees by experienced officers of the Department, end reports rendered by the latter indicate that the bulk of the nn-n are showing excellent iii-ogress. Up to the date of tins report some SOS men had finished their course, leaving a balance of 3030 still oeing trained in the various technical schools or special soldiers' .-lasses, and in the workshops and factories of private employers throughout the Dominion. Financial Assistance. —During the 12 nonliis under review, 25120 hens for |„. purpose of establishing discharge.! Midlers in businesses (involving-ail « I( .,,diture of ii;o.;,ts7; have been up '„oved by the ilimt.erial Board, as,: I'or furniture, lools. business, susfen auee. training fees, suo.s.uised wages. :tssistance to a])prentices, etc.. £90.001 was paid out on behalf id' soldiers during the past month. The total amount expended to date under these headings is £SSO,3!)O.

Repayments. — During the month oJ .Tauuarv £2!,97S was ...paid by instalmc„ts, "making a total of «ffi>,i3so received to 31st January, 1920. In reduction of loans granted, interest amounting to £2983 hud been paid up to the end of January, 1920.