WORK FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 258, 31 October 1929, Page 8

WORK FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

MANUFACTURERS' VIEWS

"KING'S ROLL" SCHEME

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, this day. ,

A statement on behalf of Hie Manufacturers' Association was put before the Disabled Soldiers' Commission today. The association considered that the present position was duo to industrial depression, to the too early closing down of tho Repatriation Department and to no organised effort having been made by the civil population, backed by the Government, to absorb partially-fit men. It thought a proportion might be industrially absorbed if the repatriation scheme wore reopened, and amendments made to the Arbitration Act, permitting disabled ex-servicemen to be employed as uiyler-rate workers, such rate being brought to the award wage by an economic pension. The men could also be absorbed as telephone attendants, mail tally clerks, messengers, janitors, etc. As an incentive to employers, a scheme similar to the King's Roll scheme in Britain was suggested. Influential local committees could do much to find niches for men. Major Jeffery mentioned that in England many factories employed ex-ser-vicemen on piecework. They worked just as long as they felt fit. Mr. Love, representing the manufacturers, said he considered the men wanted more sympathetic treatment. In tho case of the man who was periodically off it would be better to give him a smaller all-round wage and to pay him for tho time when lie was laid up. jEvidenoe was given by a former officnr of the Repatriation Department, who said he favoured a return to something ' on tho lines of the repatriation scheme. Medical evidence which was taken showed that unemployment had a psychological effect on disabled men, and that many of them, owing to the stress of unemployment, had returned to hospital for treatment. One doctor suggested the appointment of vocational officers not connected with a Government Department, who could personally investigate! cases. Their function would he to gain an intimate knowledge of the working capacity, mentality, habits and home relations arid environment of sonic of the men.