The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1945-10-07
Ne.c Zealand Veterans
nv MARC I. GREENE


WELLINGTON, N. Z.-New Zealand, land
of homes and Of hornelovers. is making ex-
tensive plans to provide homes for her re-
turned veterans, perhaps more extensive pro-
portionately than the plans OF any other ma
ton. And she is preparing not only homes
but ways and means for the support OF those
homes Education, liberal assistance in devel-
oping farm properties, facilities and financial
aid for engaging in former trades or Tor learn
ing new ones, loans on easy terms Tor any
genuine purpose along the lines OF rehabilita-
tion all this and more is provided Tor IN the
plans for returned servicemen OF the RehabiI-
tation Department of the Dominion's Labor
Government.
The amount SO far authorized in this direc-
ton is more than seven and half millions
of pounds, about $24, 375, 900 in American cur
rency. Most of it has been on behalf OF men
returned from overseas but homeservlcemen
have had $4,000 pounds, merchant seamen
%, 900, war widows and their dependents $1,000
and demobilized servicewomen 1000. During
the month OF April, 1914, alone, the sum of
632 $50 pounds was devoted to the rehabilita-
ton along various lines of demob!llzed service
personnel. Such assistance has been rendered
to more than $4,000 ex-service men and wom-
en-, almost all of whom have seen service
overseas.
The average New Zealander Graves a home.
Apartment houses in this country are very
few and not popular. At the end Of the day,
however laborious it may have been. New Zea-
land men like most to spend busy hour in
the garden as the long southern twilight closes
in Few homes are without garden, even if
it isn't more than a few yards square. When
the New Zealander retires he usually becomes
something of husbandman, often on a con-
siderable SCALE
The Dominion's servicemen have looked for
ward to this, dreamed of it through long hours
in dugouts and pillboxes and in the forecastles
of plunging ships. The hope Of returning to a
New Zealand home bungalow home in the
suburbs or ION the land, red-roofed and
green-bowered with maybe cow or a few
sheep, has been the greatest solace Of all.
demonstration was the Labor Govern
ment's great objective at the outset. Up to
now it has built we'll over $4,000 for the work
ers and loWer-income groups and this number
would have been increased by at least 5000,
as was the original plan, had not so much
building material been required for defense
works. And these houses are really homes,
far removed from the dreary Council houses
of Britain. There are hardly two alike in any
one group and there is always space for
garden.
In the month Of April, 1914, s,o6e returned
ment aid to buy or build home. interest-free
aid in every case. This figure was 266 more
than in the previous month and the proportion
is expected to 60 on increasing
Apart from this sort of rehabilitation, the
Dominion Government has so far assisted
some 400 veterans Of both sexes to set up
in businesses of their own. Included in this
number were three dependents Of servicemen
who did not rturn, for the New Zaland re-
Mobilization plans include these also. Nearly
700 900 pounds has been devoted by the Gov
eminent to such assistance.
More than $50, 900 pounds has been loaned
veterans to aid them in getting into farm
work or in developing farms of their own
The Government also assures them a market
and guaranteed price for produce.
Moreover, not only is money provided in
terest-free for the purchase or construction Of
homes but further loans are available for the
purpose Of furnishing them, likewise free of
interest. Up to the present time New Zealand s
returned veterans to the number of more than
5000 have received the sum of $50, 900 pounds
for that purpose. Free loans for tools to crafts
men have reached the sum of $1,000 pounds,
with an additional 10, 900 OF miscellaneous aid.
New Zealand is small country in area
no larger than one Of the small western Amer
lean States, with a scant 100000 Of popula-
ton. But In many ways, not least In the sub.
stantial implementation Of its promises to its
returned veterans, 1t sets an example to an
! the rest-Christian Science Monitor.