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5. With a view to assisting ex-servicemen in need of new vehicles essential to their effective rehabilitation, negotiations are in train to obtain such additional imports as can be procured for special allocation. However, the overseas supply position is still somewhat obscure, and it is difficult to state at this stage whether there are any definite prospects of bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion. (iii) Other Licensed Industries 1. During the year 201 licences to ex-servicemen were granted by the Bureau of Industry. The industries involved were as follows : Petrol-reselling .. .. .. .. .. 143 Pharmacy .. .. .. .. ' .. 20 Radio .. .. .. .. •. 19 Paua-shell .. .. .. .. .. 10 Footwear .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Fish-canning .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 201 2. The Rehabilitation Department is represented at sittings of the Bureau of Industry, and the interests of ex-servicemen are carefully watched. (iv) Business Supplies 1. On recommendations made by the Rehabilitation Department, import licences were granted by the Customs Department to some 745 ex-servicemen in the year ended 31st March, 1947. All requests for sponsorship of applications for licences are carefully examined before a recommendation is made, and after licences have been granted on the recommendation of the Department the licensee's business operations are kept under review to ensure that proper use is being made of the facilities granted. 2. The War Assets Realization Board continues to give a measure of preference to ex-servicemen applicants for tools and equipment from surplus war assets, but, in order to provide increased facilities for ex-servicemen, arrangements were made for the Rehabilitation Department to take over No. 10 Army M.T. store and receive supplies of loose tools and light equipment from War Assets Realization Board. This rehabilitation tool-store opened on 4th November, 1945, and to the end of March, 1947, had received 2,021 applications from ex-servicemen requiring tools and equipment for their own businesses, trades, or professions. 3. Ex-servicemen requiring controlled or rationed goods necessary for their businesses have again received assistance by way of increased quotas, the number dealt with in this way up to 31st March, 1947, being 1,488. SECTION VII.—FARM TRAINING AND SETTLEMENT (i) Administration 1. During the year the Farms Advisory Committee suffered the loss of its Chairman, the Hon. E. L. Cullen, M.P., who resigned following his appointment as a Minister of the Crown. The Committee met on a number of occasions and, amongst many others, considered the following matters : (1) Establishment of ex-servicemen in citrus orchards. (2) Establishment of ex-servicemen in tobacco-growing. (3) Establishment of ex-servicemen in the pip and stone fruit industry. (4) Establishment of ex-servicemen in market gardens. (5) Establishment of ex-servicemen in horticulture and nursery gardens. (6) Establishment of ex-servicemen in asparagus-growing in the Marlborough District. (7) Provision of dairy stock. (8) Courses at agricultural colleges. (9) Review of progress re farm settlement generally. (10) A number of general questions dealing with grading and training of prospective settlers and balloting procedure.

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