H—lB

(ii) Rehabilitation Committees In its development and administration of rehabilitation policy the Rehabilitation Board early made provision to set up representative local Rehabilitation Committees. In September, 1942, following upon earlier negotiations with representative bodies, the Board arranged the establishment of local Rehabilitation Committees in each of twenty-three centres Where there are Rehabilitation Officers. (N.B. Since the 31st March the number of Committees established has increased to sixty, while provision has been made for the setting-up of thirty-nine further Committees.) The composition of each Committee provides for the following representation (i) A member of the Rehabilitation Council (if resident there). (ii) Local authority —City or Borough Council, Town Board, or County Council. (iii) Returned Servicemen's Association. (iv) Organized labour. ; •- r ' (v) Business or farming, according to the type of district. (vi) Member of Parliament for the electorate ex officio on each Committee in the district. ■ (vii) Women's War Service Auxiliary. (viii) Any other persons whom the Board may consider necessary; and the Board may, when it considers it necessary, invite nominations from representative organizations. The members of the Committees are to hold office for twelve months or as the Board nominates; unless their appointments are revoked earlier by the Board, Any member of the National Rehabilitation Council who is a member of a Committee will generally act as Chairman of the Committee. If no member of the Council is available, the Chairman is elected by the Committee from amongst its members. Committees are to advise the Board on any of the following matters in regard to the rehabilitation of discharged servicemen in their allotted districts (ia) Employment. (b) Training and study for civilian occupation. (c) Land-settlement. • (d) Housing. (e) Financial assistance for acquisition of land, stock, implements, tools of trade, furniture; ■ or businesses. (/) Any other matters referred to the Committees or originated by the Committees. The Board from time to time will advise the Committees of general policy decisions of the-Board. Committees are to render all possible assistance, guidance, and advice- to all returned servicemen in their districts, to the Board and its officers, and to the officers of the National Service Department, State Advances Corporation, Lands Department, Native Department, Pensions Department, and the Vocational Guidance Officer, who, while acting for the Board, are deemed to be officers of the Board, The Board supplies each Committee with particulars of every returned and demobilized serviceman who resides in its district as soon as possible after his arrival in the district, and the Committee maintains contact with each man in its district so long as its guidance or assistance is necessary. Each year, or more frequently as required, the Committees report to the Board on the progress, needs, and general position of all ex-servicemen in the district. (5) DEMOBILIZATION (i) Facilities on Demobilization The following facilities are available to servicemen returning from service overseas :— Exchange on Credit Balances.—As from the 22nd January, 1943, personnel returning from service overseas have been credited with exchange on any amount at credit in his or her pay ledger account as at the date of embarkation for New Zealand. Privilege Leave. —A returning serviceman is entitled to receive twenty-eight days' privilege leave, and this is usually given immediately prior to his discharge or placement in an Area Pool on leave without pay. Where treatment is necessary, privilege leave is postponed until completion thereof, and if in the meantime the serviceman is made the responsibility of War Pensions Department, then that Department assumes the responsibility for the payment of the deferred privilege-leave pay. Mufti Allowance.—An ex-serviceman is entitled to receive a mufti allowance of £12 10s. on his discharge or transfer to Area Pool on leave without pay. Of this amount, £7 10s. is paid immediately, and the balance of £5 is payable on the return of certain articles of uniform and is subject to deductions for kit shortages. (N.B. —Subsequent to 31st March, 1943, the mufti allowance has been increased to a maximum of £25 and provision has been made for the retrospective payment of the increase to men and women already demobilized.) Travelling Warrants. —Rail, steamer, and road service warrants and meal tickets are issued to enable the ex-serviceman to return to his home either immediately on arrival or following treatment. In addition, the ex-serviceman on application at any point during the twelve months after his demobilization receives a free railway pass entitling him to travel on any part of the railway system for a period of one month. Ration Coupons, &c. —An ex-serviceman receives on arrival an issue of food and clothing coupons, and is given a certificate of service on discharge to obtain the usual ration coupons from any Rationing Officer throughout New Zealand. The privileges available for members of the forces who have seen full-time service in New Zealand only, are the same as those extended to returned servicemen except that privilege leave is limited to fourteen days and mufti allowance to £7 10s. (N.B. —The mufti allowance for men who have served in New Zealand only has under the new arrangement been brought into line with the allowance for returned men.)

5