REPATRIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1920, Page 5

REPATRIATION.

OPERATIONS TO DATE. The Department's Register now comprises the names of 77,308 men, and of this number r>0,703 have returned to the Dominion since the beginning of 1910. Demobilisation cards are distributed as follows:—Auckland, 17,280; Wellington, 21,663; Canterbury, 10,159; Otago, 9300; head office, 19,020; total, 77,368. EMPLOYMENT. Since its inception the Department has 'been successful in providing suitable employment for 15,i)2ti men, and only 152 names remained on the "employment wanted" register on 20/3/20, the majority of this number having only registered during the preceding few days. During the past month unemployment sustenance allowances were granted in 25 cases, and 12 men are at present receiving this form of assistance. The number registering for employment recently has shown a marked decrease, and it would appear, therefore, that one of the Department's most serious problems has been successfully grappled with. Although no recrudescence of unemployment i 9 expected (most of the men having been placed in "permanent" positions) the Department intends taking no risks in this respect, and therefore no modification of its employment organisation will be made at the present juncture. TRAINING. The importance of the vocational training of partially disabled soldiers, apprentices, etc., can hardly be >ver-esti* mated, and this phase of the work of repatriation continues to expand. The training is under the direction of experienced officers, and the welfare of trainees is especially looked after by members of the "after .pare" branch. Reports to hand from the latter indicate that the bulk of the men are making excellent progress, and that at the present time over 100 trainees are completing their courses monthly, and are taking positions as "skilled" tradesmen. During the past month 360 men commenced training, making a total of 4198 for whom training has been Arranged to date. Of this number 918 have finished their courses, leaving a 'balance of 3280 still being trained in the various technical schools or special soldier classes and in . the workshops and- factories of private employers throughout the Dominion. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. During the period covered by this report (13 months), 3159 loans for the purpose of establishing discharged soldiers in business have been approved by the Ministerial Board, involving an expenditure of £722,801, and during the past month £85,845 was paid out on behalf of soldiers for furniture, tools, business, sustenance, training fees, subsidised wages, assistance to apprentices, etc. The total amount expended to date under these headings is £966,244. REPAYMENTS. During the month of February, "£21,817 was repaid by instalments, making a total of £91,377 received to 29/2/20 | in reduction of loans granted. In addition to this sum, £3960 (has 'been received as interest on business loans exceeding £SO. '