REPATRIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1922, Page 7

REPATRIATION.

EXPENDITURE, r£2,224,890. “ONLY ONE CASE OF HARDSHIP.” In a progress report on the operations of the Repatriation Department, issued last week, it is stated that the total expenditure to date is £2,224,890. The Department has placed 27,392 discharged soldiers in employment, and there are at the present time 295 names on the “Employment Wanted” Register (Auckland 84, Wellington 105, Canterbury 68, Otago 38). During the past month unemployment sustenance was paid in one case of hardship. In ■ addition to 1424 students who have 1 been assisted financially with grants for the payment of fees and the purchase of text-books, the Department has arranged '-ocational training for 6044 partially-disabled soldiers, apprentices, etc., and 5693 of and 51 trainees completed their courses and have been absorbed in various industries. During the month of May 13 men commenced training, and 51 trainees completed their courses. There are 351 men still being trained, viz., 251 subsidised workers and apprentices in private workshops or factories, 49 trainees at Ruakura and Tauherenikau •Training Farms, etc., and 51 others at urrversities, etc. The total amount expended to date on the provision of facilities for training and for the sustenance of trainees is £386,414. Loans to assist discharged soldiers to establish themselves in businesses or professions have been granted in 6138 cases at a cost of £1,131,756. A further 14,585 men have received advances totalling £693,825 for the purchase of household furniture or tools-of-trade, and 4316 have been granted financial assistance in other directions, the amount paid to or on behalf of soldiers under all headings being £2,224,890. Of the total amount expended on behalf of soldiers, £1,825,582 represents loan advances for the establishment of businesses or for the purchase of household furniture, etc., and up to April 30 last the Department had collected in respect of these £973,180. Tho expenditure on soldiers during the past six months amounted to : £93,025, whilst collections from soldiers totalled £189,972. Following is a summary of the assistance rendered: —

Number assisted Amount Loans: £ Business 61,138 1,131,758 Furniture, tools, etc 14,585 893,827 Grants: Training, sustenance, etc 7,468 386,414 Transportation • •.. 3,193 7,338 Unemployment sustenance 1,123 5,555 Placed in employment 27,302 59,899 2,224,890