SOLDIERS AND WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 127, 31 May 1937, Page 6

SOLDIERS AND WORK.

Remembering. witli sincere gratitude, the manner in which the '"Star"' ha-* always championed the cause of the returned soldiers. I am hoping that you may find space to ventilate another little "grouse." Speaking at the recent Domain review his Excellency the Governor-General said: '"This ceremony shows that we do not forget what we owe to those brave men who in the time of the Empire's need acquitted themselves so nobly." I assume that I/ord Oalwav wa-= referring to both the "living"' and the ''"glorious dead." But when the "fortunate" ones applv for employment, t-liey find that the deht to the living has been definitely extinguished. When the Auckland City Council " (traffic department) advertised for additions to its staff it stipulated 35 years of age as the limit, and the Transport Board apparently followed this noble example. This age limit obviouslv debars anv returned soldier from occupying a position with these bodies. A vacancy that I applied for recently in an Auckland" store had an age limit of 30 for unskilled work. I am only 38 years old. having joined the forces in 1915 at the age of 16. and being one of the "fortunate" ones, not even eligible for a pension, must consider my fit self another reject of a grateful Empire. ETERNAL HOPE.