H.—lB

149. When a definite application for training and/or settlement is received it is dealt with by the Farms Committee of the Board immediately. " Following determination of eligibility, and grading, which is always related to the districts and types of farming in which the ex-serviceman may have had former experience, he is provided with an Eligibility and Grading Certificate, which entitles him to apply for training and/or settlement in the type of farming and in the districts indicated in this certificate, thus dispensing with the need for subsequent interviewing and grading. (iii) Training Facilities available 150. Men graded " A " require no further training, but " B " and " C " Grade men must undergo prescribed training before they can be regraded to " A." It is a function of the local Subcommittee concerned, when considering grading, to recommend what further training ought in its opinion to be undertaken before settlement. Training measures include : — (a) Subsidized training with approved private farmer employers ; (b) Training on blocks being developed by the Lands and Survey Department; (c) Training on Rehabilitation Board training farms ; (d) Training at agricultural colleges. 151. The subsidized training of men with private farmers is facilitated by the co-operation of the Returned Services' Association and other organizations in nominating farmers who are both willing and suitable to engage one or more trainees. Nominated farmers who are subsequently approved by the local Farming Sub-committee engage trainees under the following-wage and subsidy scale

152. The Farming Sub-committee is required to nominate the term of training, and the gross commencing wage and corresponding subsidy rate are fixed after reference to the farming experience, if any, of the trainee. The training term nominated by the Sub-committee may be varied according to the progress of the trainee. 153. Where a married trainee is provided by the employer with satisfactory separate housing accommodation, the employer's contribution is reducible by 10s. weekly. Any adjustment on account of meat, milk, &c., being supplied by the farmer is a matter for negotiation between the farmer and the trainee. 154. The training of " B " and " C " Grade applicants on blocks of land administered by the Lands and Survey Department is effected by the engagement of the trainee at the instance of the Farming Sub-committees. This method is an alternative to training with private farmers and the conditions of employment are the same, the Lands and Survey Department being regarded for this purpose as a private farmer. 155. Trainees placed on one or other of the two training farms (Homewood at Te Puke and Wairarapa near Masterton) administered on behalf of the Board are employed for as long as may be necessary on the indicated class of work. Such trainees are paid in full by the Board on the following basis : single men, £3 per week and found ; married men, £4 per week, plus free house and bulk furniture, and Cabinet authority has been sought (since obtained) to bring the emolument of these trainees into line with that of trainees on private farms. The number of men who can be trained on these two farms is necessarily small, and the emphasis as far as choice of method is concerned must therefore be on training on private and State-owned properties. 156. Full-time tuition at Lincoln and Massey Agricultural Colleges, where it is approved, is provided under the conditions and for the periods appropriate to the available courses. While pursuing such courses student-trainees are paid at the following rates by the Board : single men, £2 per week, plus board and lodgings ; married men, £4 per week, plus board and lodgings (for students only). In addition, the Board meets the college fees and expenses incurred in connection with books, instruments, and other study material—i.e., under the education procedure. Only men with satisfactory practical experience are approved for courses at the agricultural colleges. Ihe value of refresher courses for fully-experienced men who have not practised farming for a considerable period is recognized by the Board and the local Farming Sub-committees, and these cases are also provided for. (iv) Training Results 157. As the Board's training and settlement procedure has been in operation for only a short time the number of men who have completed one or another form of training is, as would be expected, small and comprises mainly men who have pursued relatively short-term refresher courses at the agricultural colleges. To date sixteen men have completed training of one or another kind and have been graded " A," while six men have discontinued training. As at 31st March, 1944, there was a total of seventy-three men undergoing training of various kinds. 158. Table XVI of Appendix II gives detailed information concerning applications for farming and/or settlement; trainees undergoing training; and trainees who have completed training or who have discontinued it.

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Extra where Farmer's Share „ . , TI7 Board and Board (including Period. Wage. Lodgings riot i0ta1. Subsidy. Board and provided. Lodgings). _ £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. First six months .. .. .. 3 15 0 1 5 0 5 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 0 Second six months .. .. 3 17 6 150 526 1 15 0 376 Third six months.. .. .. 426 150 576 1 7 6 400 Fourth six months .. .. 450 150 5 10 0 176 426