NO WORK SINCE WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 242, 12 October 1929, Page 10

NO WORK SINCE WAR.

pathetic Cases. EX-SERVICEMEN'S PLIGHT. REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRES. Pathetic cases of suffering over a long period of years have been revealed by the replies received by the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association to questionnaires issued with a view to collecting data for presentation to the commission set up by the Government to inquire into the causes of unemployment among ex-servicemen and to discover, if possible, remedies for the problem. In some cases disabled men have been unable to work since the war. . Tuberculosis, the direct result of war service, gas> neurasthenia, loss of limbs and other complaints common amongst men who fought for their country have reduced dozens of men to mere drugs on the labour market. Some confess to having tried their hand at various jobs, but owing to a recurrence of their disabilities have had to once more join the ranks of the unemployed. Others have been unable to stand up under the strain of heavy work, but are willing to tackle anything light that is put in their way. "I had to leave my last employment through a breakdown in health," stated a man who had served with the loth North -Auckland Regiment, and has had no work for five years. "Owing to my disability I cannot do heavy work, and cannot find a suitable light job. I have been out of work for three years," intimated another. These are typical cases of distress, and the mine of information that the association is collecting is even astounding to members who have been aware that unemployment amongst ex-servicemen, particularly those suffering from war disabilities, was serious. Quito a. number of the men have expressed their willingness, if reasonable financial assistance is given, to cultivate small holdings of land. Of the replies received so far, 53 disabled men favour adequate pensions being granted aged and indigent ex-servicemen to enable them to live with relatives or friends, in preference to Veterans' Homes being established for their benefit. .Only three men are in favour of the latter proposal, Although the association only issued the first batch of 3000 questionnaires two days ago, the response has been such that its supplemented staff has been unable to cope with the replies that are pouring in from all quarters. Returned men, indeed, are responding to the appeal for information as to their circumstances better than was anticipated. "Judging from the rate at which replies are coming to hand there is widespread interest in the commission's inquiry," said the secretary of the association this morning. "We' have not yet been advised as to when tho commission will eit in Auckland."