REPATRIATION IN TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1920, Page 4

REPATRIATION IN TARANAKI.

A GREAT SUCCESS,

Some interesting figures were presented to last night's' meeting of the New Plymouth Repatriation Committee, showing the success of its operations in Nortt Taranaki and the industry of exsoldiers. During the past two years the loans granted amounted to .-c;J6,000, of which ;€!)u()0 has already been repai'd. The interest, too, has been promptly met, there being only a few pounds in arrear.

Of the £30,000 loaned, £14,!>00 was advanced in connection with the purchase of businesses, £COQO for dairy cattle and other stock, and ±'SaBB for furniture. The sum of £702 was advanced for' the purchase of tools of trade, whilst £3454 was spent in training men for new trades or professions.

The result is more remarkable when it is understood that the board, in dealing with applicants and. their propositions, do not subject them to the rigid and hard commercial scrutiny, as the ordinary financial lending institutions are obliged to do. Their guiding principle is the character of the man and his suitability for the business or trade m which lie proposes to embark. Generally the loan is guaranteed by one or two of his relatives or friends, or security is taken over his possessions. It is a testimony to the character of the men thus helped that so far not one has '-let down" the Repatriation Department, and indicates that repatriation in Now Zoaladn will prove a great investment and assist very considerably in the development of the country, and not be, as many have believed, a'heavy liability. '