H—lB

SECTION I.—ORGANIZATION (i) The Rehabilitation Board 1. The personnel of the Rehabilitation Board is as set out in Table I of the Appendix to this report. 2. This is the same as at 31st March, 1946, with the exception that the Honourable E. L. Cullen, M.P., is no longer a member, having tendered his resignation on his elevation to Cabinet rank. This resignation was accepted with considerable regret, as Mr. Cullen'sservices have been of the utmost value, particularly in matters relating to farm training and settlement. 3. The Board met on twelve occasions throughout the year, whilst the various-sub-committees met on numerous occasions. (ii) The Council 1. The membership of the National Rehabilitation Council at 31st March, 1947, is as set out in Table II of the Appendix to this report. 2. Changes during the year include the resignation of the Hon. E. L. Cullen, M.P., consequent upon his appointment to Cabinet, and the retirement of Messrs. J. H. Boyesand R. Gr. Macmoran, whose places have been filled by the appointments of Mr, A. H. O'Keefe and Mr. D. M. Greig. 3. The Council met on four occasions throughout the year, and continues to be the source of valuable advice to the Minister and Board. SECTION lI.—DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION (i) Decentralization 1. In previous annual reports the progress of the Board's policy of decentralizing departmental activity to the fullest extent compatible with effective executive control has" been traced. 2. During the year under review this policy has been further implemented. Except for certain specified types of transactions which are reserved for Head Office decision, the administration of individual cases is wholly a local responsibility. 3. The nine District Executive Committees which are responsible for handling loan applications have continued to render valuable service, and the efficacy of the system in operation may well be judged by the greatly increased activity in all classes of loan transactions, as commented upon in later paragraphs. (ii) Staff 1. The staff position in general has been considerably strengthened during the year, but there are vacancies still in a number of important administrative and specialist positions. 2. Approximately 75 per cent, of the staff are temporary officers, many of them exservicemen who take work while looking for suitable permanent places. There are inevitably large numbers of resignations from this staff, and the turnover is big. Broadly speaking, in filling establishment and making replacements the Department has to find staff almost from day to day and train them for the work. 3. The time which necessarily elapses in filling vacancies, particularly in senior positions, and the losing of trained officers apart from the temporary staff, through promotions or transfers to other Departments of the Civil Service, cause difficulties. (iii) Organization During the year the work of codifying all office instructions into a conveniently sized Manual of Procedure has been completed. The resulting publication has been found to be of considerable assistance to Board and Committee members and to the staff of the Department.

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