REPATRIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1920, Page 2

REPATRIATION.

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. On the 20th February, 1920, the Repatriation Department completed its first year of operations, and a short statement summarising the salient features of the work accomplished (as detailed in the monthly published statements) is given below:— Total number of soldiers on register at 20th February, 1020—77,128. Employment—Placed in employment, 15,106; awaiting employment, 175; drawing unemployment sustenance, 14. Note: The number unemployed is the smallest on reoord. Training:—Number for : whom training has been arranged, 3838; at present in training! 3030; finished course, 808. It should be noted that. 71 per cent, of the men in training; are receiving their instruction in. the factories and workshops of private employers, and,as such employers, invariably regain the services of the trainee as a. journeyman after the completion of the training, the Problem of absorbing large numbers of men from technical schools or special soldier classes does not arise. The policy of the Department, in respest, is to give a man three or four months' grounding in a special class (if necessary), and then draft him out as a subsidised worker. At the present time api proximately 100 men are completing their training monthly, and are taking their places in the ordinary industrial life of the community. Financial Assistance:—Granted husiI ness loans exceeding £SO, 2920—( £066,487); granted loans for furniture, etc., 5957 (£200,600); granted transportation allowances, beyond New Zealand 77, within New Zealand 1527. The total applications for financial assistance received to date is 12,708, and of this number 83 per cent, were granted, nine per cent- declined, and the balance represents applications withdrawn or at present under consideration. Repayments.—lnstalments of principal repaid, £69,449; interest, £2983; total payments, £72,542. Borrowers are meeting their obligations loyally and promptly, and during January the sum of £23,069 was received—a rate of £270,000 per annum. Less than four per cent, of those granted l loans are in arrear with their paymentsTotal amount expended on soldiers to February 20, 1920, £880,399. Total number assisted, 29,431.