REPATRIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1919, Page 5

REPATRIATION.

NEW PLYMOUTH COMMITTEE. A meeting of the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee waa held last evening, there being present: Messrs. C. H. Weston (chairman), W. J. Chaney, T. Furlong, C. Carter, J. 11. Rowlands, R, YV. D. Robertson, T. C. List, P. W. Okey, H. R. Cattley, R. J. Clarke, E. B. Ellerm and the secretary (Mr. A. S. Allen). The Repatriation Department advised that Mr. it. Masters had been transferred to the Stratford committee. Mr. Masters wrote thanking the board for the cour- ■• tesy extended to him, but he felt he would render more valuable service in a district where he was more familiar with the local conditions. The secretary reported that 100 circulars had been sent to employers, inviting their help in finding employment for returning soldiers, also for providing training in certain cases. The secretary reported that two applicants for employment had bees found positions, whilst another who desired certain work had been put on by a local employer. Two applications for training at the j Technical College were received and referred to the executive for favorable consideration. An application from .a man who had been in camp for a few weeks, and was starting in business with another was further considered, and it was decided to write the department for information as to the committee's powers in such cases. The employment committee reported having interviewed Mr. Gray, director of the Technical College, who stated that so far about a dozen soldiers at New Plymouth and Hawera had taken advantage of technical training. Mr. Gray mentioned that he would like another hundred of the same class, as he found they gave great attention to their studies, their uCjenee generally being for the good of the school. The men however, did not like to have their training with the bo,ys, and preferred to be kept apart from the students, which would entail the provision of additional accommodation. At present there was sufficient room for practical work only, and enough staff for training in three subjects—agriculture, engineering and commercial work—full time for six returned men. To establish extra classes, Mr. Gray was of opinion that the maximum number should be fixed at 10, an additional room secured for lecture purposes only, the stall' strengthened with another instructor selected by them at £250, the salary to be paid by the Repatriation Department, or to train 40 men in these classes two instructors would be needed at a coat of £6OO oer annum. r The sub-committee considered every man who was unable to follow his prewar occupation requiring help should be given the opportunity to regain his former position in civil life, and try to make good, otherwise it would be a standinc disgrace to the country, not to do all in* . its power towards the fulfilment of its duty in this direction. The opinion was expressed by members that the question of imparting technical education would become more pressing as more men returned, and that the Government would require to deal' with it comprehensively, as the present local facihties would soon be inadequate At .the same time the hope was expressed that as many men as possible would seek raining fitting them for engagement in the primary industries, where their services would be of more advantage to the" country. 6 e The case was considered of a oountrv man who had entered into partnership in ' a sheep farm with others who Were not returned men The Commissioner of Lands advised that there was no provision under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act for a discharged soldier to go into partnership on a fl f m W '}X~F person not a discharged soldier Members expressed the opinion that Uus was an anomaly that should be re moved, pointing out that it might foflkr considerable hardship on thTvervmen who deserved assistance. It „ 1 »T vantage oft-times for a returned lldt to be associated with others physica ,v «, especially on a rough sheep 3 where-many returned soldiers could „or ■manage all the work themse ves this particular sase the w * !• *- . put all his money h.to the ha<i practical man, a . were I "*" * the financial assistance hi ? rt ■"*,' and only £750, whils limit Kf r^ 3 eminent advance in otto JL \ G ° V " was £2500, plus £750" oV Sfl? ro;LtTur b e Ußiaeß9traßSacW -sofa