WORKLESS RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1921, Page 9

WORKLESS RETURNED SOLDIERS.

NO CAUSE FOR PANIC. REPATRIATION REPORTS. “NOT AT ALL PESSIMISTIC.” Interesting details of the work of the Repatriation Department and its operas tions up to April 20 last —a period of -2(k.inpnths since its foundation—are supplied by’ the Director of Repatriation (Mr. J. R. Samson). The director’s report states that the register of the Department contains the names of 79,229 discharged soldiers. “The Department,” the report adds, “has placed 23,219 discharged soldiers in positions, and the number on the ‘employment -wanted’ register to-day is 223, distributed throughout the various districts as follow*:—Auckland, 83; Wellington, 67; Canterbury, 44; Otago, 29. Although the number unemployed is somewhat above normal (the average, number during the, last 12 months has been 150), there is certainly no cause for panic, and reports received from the district repatriation officers indicate that, although they expect to experience some difficulty in placing applicants expeditiously during the next few months, they are not at all pessimistic, but believe that with aai alert employment staff receiving the same measure of helpful co-operation from employers generally as has been afforded during the past two years, there is not likely to be any serious degree of unemployment amongst returned soldiers. “The Department has arranged training for 6938 men who were unable, owing to war disabilities, to resume their pre-war occupations, and of apprentices and others whose indentures

have been broken, or who have lost opportunities through war service. Already 4031 men have completed their courses and have been absorbed in the various industries, while 1553 are still undergoing training. Of these 116 are receiving Ithsiir instruction jn special classes—69 at universities, 138 on repatriation farms, and 1230 as subsidised workers in the workshops or factories of private employers. An additional 1274 students have been assisted financially with grants for the payment of fees and the purchase of text books. The total expenditure to date on training facilities, sustenance, »etd, is £275,340. “Good work is being done by aftercare officers in connection with the placing of the seriously disabled man in a calling and environment suited to his particular disability. Up to date 1244 chest cases, 382 amputees, and 736 men suffering from other serious disabilities have been dealt with. The chest cases are the especial care of an officer with sanatorium experience, “Loans to enable discharged soldiers to establish themselves in businesses or professions have been granted in 5556 cases at an expenditure of £1,030,977. A further 11,667 men have received ad-

vances totalling £522,297 for the purchase of household furniture or tools of trade, and 3573 others have been granted financial assistance in other directions, the amount paid to 01 on behalf of soldiers under all headings being £1,838,901. “At March 31, 1921, repayments of loan amounted to £510,751, or onethird of the total advances. Of the 17,223 grantors over 90 per cent, are regular payers. These figures form the best commentary on the progress of the men, and show conclusively that the great majority are doing considerably more than merely 'making good.’ Collections for the month of March were £35,400.” A summary of assistance rendered is as follows: Grants—

Total 50,923 1,838,903 Collections to March 31 last amounted to £510,751, or one-third of the total loan advances.

Number Amount. Loans — assisted. £ Business 5,556 1,030,977 Furniture, tools, etc. Training, sustenance, 11,667 522,297 etc. 6,938 275,340 Transportation .... 2,500 5,011 Unemployment susten ance 1,073 5,276 Placed in employment 23,219 —