REPATRIATION WORK ENDED.

Shannon News, 9 February 1923, Page 3

REPATRIATION WORK ENDED.

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

The. cessation of benefits under the Repatriation Act took effect from December 31 last, and up to that date tiie Department had rendered assistance to 63,108 discharged soldiers at a total cost of £2,329,992, A return received by the Levin Repatriation Committee that the number of soldiers assisted with business loans was 6366, the amount advanced being £1,160,536. Loans for furniture, tools, etc., numbered 15,915,' and amounted to £755,626. A total of 7538 grants were made for training, sustenance, etc., involving £397,619, transportalion grants 3498, and the amount £7634; unemployment sustenance grants 1123 for the sum of £5577. Returned'men numbering 28,668 were placed in employment. In the training department, partially disabled soldiers, apprentices, etc., numbering 7538, have, been trained in new trades or occupations at a cost -of £397,619. No less than 7478 trainees' have completed their aourses ami 91 per cent of these have gradu'died into employment. The majority gf the 9 per t cent who discontiimed before graduating- did so. on account of ill-health, the percentage of unsatisfactory, cases being negli-. giltle. There tire now only 60 men in training, and-most Of these will complete (luring the next few months. The average cost per trainee (taking credit successes only) is £55. Altogether, New Zealand’s record in con-

nection ' with training in relation to the-individual cost, the proportion of successes, to failures, and the liberality of 1 income, during the training period, is a good one. * The department controlling the business and furniture loans granted 6366 loans to discharged soldiers to establish business at a cost of £1,160,536, and an additional 15,915 men have, received advances 1 amounting io £758,626 for the purchase of - furniture to set up homes. The repayment of loans is remarkably good, and the Department has already collected £1,190,748—0ver 60 per cent ol' the total Loan advances. Business loans, 1980, mul 3052 furniture loans have been entirely repaid.