H—s

The routine work of forming classes and supplying courses and text-books and maintaining libraries has proceeded without intermission, and the demand has been considerably greater than was expected at the end of the war. The general educational problems requiring final solution on a peacetime basis are as follows : (i) Provision of facilities for maintaining a high standard of general education among naval personnel. (ii) The organization of leisure-time activities designed to promote a high standard of service tone and morale, and to foster a spirit of good fellowship. (iii) The provision of resettlement courses in order that serving personnel may readily find suitable employment when they leave the Service, and may become useful and enlightened citizens. 2. The following is a summary of the various educational activities which have been in operation over the past year : (i) Study Courses. —As observed in the last report, the study courses produced by A.E.W.S. during the war have been transferred to the Technical Correspondence School, Education Department, but are still available to members of the Armed Services free of charge. The range of these courses has been extended over the past year. (ii) University and Professional Courses. —A.E.W.S. textbooks for University courses remain available on hire, and full tuition is provided for students taking accountancy and secretarial courses. -(iii) Classes at Technical Schools.—The numbers of personnel attending classes at technical schools has remained steady throughout the year. It is again necessary to place on record that the principals of these schools have co-operated wholeheartedly in arranging classes suited to the requirements of serving personnel. (iv) Recreational Libraries. —Over the past year there has been an all-round increase in library activity relative to the present strength of units. In most areas library stock is still being distributed by A.E.W.S. library depots, but this function is gradually being transferred to the National Library Service. (v) R.N,Z.N. Educational Certificate Form A.F. 403 a are still being received for the issue of this certificate by personnel who were released years ago. This appears to indicate that the certificate is being found useful as an educational qualification. (vi) Rehabilitation. —For the purpose of granting rehabilitation benefits personnel who served during the war and still remain in the Armed Services are now regarded by the Rehabilitation Department as having returned to civil occupation, and are awarded benefits in accordance with the general rules governing eligibility. The benefits available to serving personnel are limited in the main to education and housing. W. J. G. Prophit, Naval Secretary and Member, New Zealand Naval Board. Mark Taylor, Second Naval Member, New Zealand Naval Board. G. H. Faulkner, First Naval Member, New Zealand Naval Board. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (613 copies), £29.

By Authority: E. Y. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 947, Price 6d.]

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