The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1919. REPATRIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1919. REPATRIATION.

The memorandum regarding the operations of the Repatriation Board, recently submitted to Parliament, aptly commences thus: ''No problem is of such supreme importance to-day as the reabsorption into the industrial life of the community of our soldiers who have won for us such a glorious peace." This recognition of services rendered is, undoubtedly, the guiding influence animating the controlling body—the Repatriation Board—and the various district boards and committees. "When the repatriation scheme was promulgated there was a tendency to regard it more as an experiment than a well devised means to solve a problem which manifestly required skilful and sympathetic handling. No aim could be more worthy than that of helping every discharged soldier in need of assistance to secure for himself a position in the community at least as good as that relinquished by him when lie joined the colors. The country was pledgee! to carry out this task; it was a work without precedent. Therefore it needed special qualities, administrative j and organising methods to achieve J success, and it is most gratifying to learn that six months' experience has proved that not only is the scheme well adapted for its purpose, but the work of those engaged in solving the problem has been marked with a success that has exceeded all expectations. The fears that were generally expressed regarding the probability that a Board of Ministers having the supreme control would be detrimental to expedition, have proved to be groundless. For the first time in the history of the Dominion Mihisters have practically joined hands, minds and hearts with those who are helping in a national cause. That co-operation can alone achieve the object, in view, so there is gratifying evidence of good work well done. Needless to say that this cordial collaboration is acting as a stimulus to employers, and it is by the sympathetic co-operation of the employers that many cases can alone be dealt with. There exists a whole-hearted desire on the part of all 'who are engaged in this great patriotic work to do the best in their power to advance the welfare and future prospects of all the applicants, and the fact that the central board readily accepts and acts upon the recommendations of the committees testifies to the success with which the scheme is being administered. The main channels of assistance are employment, training and financial help to purchase or establish businesses, obtain furniture, tools of trade, equipment, etc. Certain guiding principles were arrived at a conference in order that the work of repatriation Blight be carried out on systematic and uniform lines throughout the Dominion. This was a wise step that has been productive of good results. The report states that 8,867 men have been provided with employment in various industries, over a thousand in pastoral and agricultural occupations, and over two thousand in general 'tog&JgMLe _gu£ $1 a total. Qi

66,309 returned men there were only seventeen men on the unemployment sustenance list. No more striking testimony could be furnished to the success of the boards and committees. The educational and vocational training embraces partially disabled soldiers, those who had not acquired a trade or calling, apprentices whose indentures had not expired at the time ol' enlistment, and soldiers' widows. During this training, whether in the workshop or the technical school, the trainee's wages are made up to £3 a week, and any increase paid by the employer does not affect the Government subsidy, while in the case of men with children an extra allowance is made. In addition to this fees for professional training are paid and grants for books made up to £5 ss. The extent to which this provision for training has been availed of is demonstrated by the fact that the number rose in four months from 200 to 1600. As regards financial assistance, loans not exceeding £3OO are granted to establish or purchase businesses. £SO being free of interest and the remainder at five per cent for a term of years without security. Of the £277,000 advanced £6OOO has already been repaid, mostly in very small sums, the experience of the repatriation officers being that almost without exception the men are loyally meeting their obligations as to repayment. There is good reason for taking an optimistic view of the future of the repatriation operations, and a full measure of praise is due to those who are engaged in this great work which should prove not only a boon to the returned soldiers but j a gain to the producing power of the Dominion.