HUMAN HELP FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 151, 28 June 1945, Page 4

HUMAN HELP FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

DETURNING servicemen need, and the many thousands still to return will need, houses, houses in far greater number than it will be possible to provide at one time. Even if house construction is organised to secure the maximum output, there will be an interim period, during which many men will have to wait. What will their thoughts be while they wait? Will they know that everything possible is being done to help them, or will they feel that the community which sent them away with praise and promises is now indifferent to their welfare? There can be no doubt of the community's wishes in the matter, but wishes must be given practical expression. For that reason the establishment in Auckland, and later throughout New Zealand, of the Rehabilitation CJivic League deserves warm welcome and encouragement.

What does the league hope to do? It hopes, first, to enable men while waiting for homes of their own to have a decent roof over their heads. To this end it is fostering a house-sharing scheme, for which Government help iias been promised by legislation or regulation safeguarding the home-owner. It intends, secondly, to extend the excellent hospitality service, already successful in the Waikato, by which servicemen, their wives and children, and also servicemen's widows, will be enabled to take a holiday. Under this a mother who has struggled for years with the responsibility of a home and children while her husband has been absent on service will be able to take a holiday with him and know that her children, separately, are enjoying a holiday and being cared for. The need of such a system is known to everyone. Thirdly, and generally, the league hopes to make the whole rehabilitation task easier by associating everybody with it, and doing many things which only a voluntary organisation can do. These are excellent objects, and the success of the league and its founder, Mr. D. V. Bryant, in accomplishing them in the Waikato strongly encourages the belief that, given the practical help of Aucklanders, they can be accomplished here.