H.—3o

12

E. Hairdresser and tobacconist. Commenced business twelve months ago with one assistant, and has now four assistants (including three returned soldiers). Has a fine stand, a splendidly fitted up and well-stocked shop, and is doing an excellent trade. F. Motor-lorry. This assisted soldier has been in business less than twelve months, and in that time he has cleared over £200 in addition to paying loan instalments and living-expenses. G. Joinery business. Although less than twelve months in business this man has orders in hand for months ahead, and is already employing no less than nine tradesmen, five of whom are returned soldiers. There is naturally another side to the story, but we are pleased to be able to report that the total losses to date (i.e., amounts "written off" by the Ministerial Board as irrecoverable) have been comparatively light, comprising only twenty-three cases in all, with an average loss of £34 in each case. The following table gives the cause of failure in each case : — Number of Cases. Cause of Failure. 10 ... ... Men proved unsatisfactory. 6 ... ... ... ... Deceased. 2 ... ... ... ... Burnt out (partnership). 3 ... ... ... ... Mentally unbalanced. I ... ... ... ... Met with accident. 1 ... ... ... ... 11l health. It will be noted that in only ten cases did the grantors prove unworthy, misfortune being the cause of failure in the other thirteen cases. ADMINISTRATION EXPENDITURE. The administration expenses of the Department from its inception to the 20th June, 1920, total £64,522, or 5 per cent, of the gross expenditure, GENERAL REMARKS. It will be gathered from a perusal of this report that the problem of returning our soldiers to civil life and helping them with financial assistance to enter into business, or fitting them for new vocations whereby they can earn a comfortable living, is surrounded with circumstances needing the most careful and sympathetic treatment in order to safeguard the best interests of the men. Probably the most difficult men to repatriate are the tubercular men and those who have lost an arm, and to successfully deal with such cases is no light task. Repatriation work is of a very practical nature, and the men applying to us for assistance have received not only sympathetic treatment by our voluntary corps of workers and members of the staff throughout the Dominion, but have also had the benefit of valuable advice and guidance from able business men on the various Boards and Committees, who have taken infinite care and pains to do their very best for all soldiers seeking assistance. New problems are always arising, but we have managed to secure general uniformity in the handling of cases by the various Boards and Committees, and are on the best of terms with the Returned Soldiers' Association and the various Patriotic Societies and War Relief Associations. Matters are running smoothly, applications are dealt with without delay, and the Deparment sets itself up as the guide, philosopher, and friend of any soldier requiring assistance to rehabilitate himself. The employment figures, the training reports, and the manner in which the men to whom loans have been granted are keeping up their payments arc a tribute to the returned soldiers themselves, who are carrying on right royally and displaying the same high qualities as citizens as they did as soldiers fighting for the Empire. I have, &c, J. R. Samson, Director of Repatriation.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,200 copies), £17 10s.

By Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.--1920.

Price 6d.]