REPATRIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 November 1919, Page 6

REPATRIATION.

' WORK IN DOMINION. OVER HALF A MILLION DISBURSED. From Mr. J. R. Samson (Director of Repatriation for the Dominion) a New Zealand Times reporter learnt recently that the district boards throughout the country have been busily engaged in securing employment for, and giving training and financial assistance to, returned soldiers. Under the latter heading—which includes loans to establish soldiers in business, sustenance, training fees, subsidised wages, assistance to apprentices, etc. —the total amount expended is now well over half a million pounds. During the eight complete months the department lias been established, £460,240 Ss lOcl has been advanced to establish discharged soldiers in business, while financial assistance of other descriptions brings the total to the large amount stated. The department's register now comprises the names of 74,118 men, and of this number 47,453 have returned to the Dominion since the beginning of the year. Demobilisation cards are distributed as'follows:— District Office, Auckland 15,679 District Office, Wellington l!),G.ifl District Office, Canterbury 0,308 District Office, Otago S,G(i(i Head Office 20,829 j Totai ....... 74,118 Notwithstanding the large number of men being discharged, it is reported thai, the employment figures disclose an excellent position. During the month 1141 r.-.en were placed in situations, and the number remaining on the "employment, wanted" register for .the whole of the Dominion at the date of this report is the lowest on record, namely, 307 —about a week's "placings." During the month 40 men were granted unemployment sus-' tenance allowances for a week or more, and twelve/ were actually in receipt of same at the date of this report. The vocational training figures show a further increase, no less than 406 men having commenced training in new trades or occupations during the month. The total number for whom training has been arranged to date is 2064. Of this number 428»have finished their course, leaving a balance of 2236 still being trained in the various technical schools or special soldier classes, and in the workshops and factories of private employers throughout the Dominion. During the month £CO79 was repaid '»y instalments, making a total of £13,>2l receive! to date in reduction of bans granted. In connection with the repayment of loans, Wellington stands the" highest (£4989 0s 3d), followed by Auckland. £4392 17s Sd, Otago £2584'1s lid, and Canterbury £1555 15s 6d. In the matter of business loans, Auckland heads the list with £169,892 19s lOd, and Wellington comes next with £144,859 15s 6d.