REHABILITATION PLANS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23843, 12 January 1943, Page 4

REHABILITATION PLANS

Organisation Being Prepared PART OF PUBLIC WORKS A denial that public works were envisaged by the Government as the main avenue for rehabilitating soldiers of this war was given by the Minister of Rehabilitation (the Hon. R. Semple) in an interview with “The Press” yesterday. "Public works will not be the only avenue of employment,” he said. “The department will play a part, and a big part, in the preparation and construction pf farms as going concerns, in building homes, and in functioning, as a virile and versatile organisation, in the world of construction.” . A rehabilitation organisation which would spring into action at the psychological moment was being prepared, said Mr Semple. Plans were being prepared for an organisation which would function perfectly. The organisation was already functioning up to a point. From time to time, the Rehabilitation Council and Board held meetings to review what had been done, and so far they had been definitely satisfied with the investigations going on. , "Rehabilitation is going to be a mighty big job, and the need now is helpful suggestions and constructive criticisms.” said the Minister. "No one need imagine that, because one man cries that he has not been fairly dealt with, there are hundreds of other returned men who are not satisfied. The placing of the men back in their occupations has been highly satisfactory; but no matter what you do, you will always find somebody disgruntled. The pity is that people take notice of the disgruntled ones and forgot those who are happy.” No fault could be found with the altitude of employers on the question of taking men back to their occupations, said Mr Semple. Most of the people he had anything to do with were in the mood to help; and that was the spirit which should prevail. The men could not be put back into occupations profitable to themselves and beneficial to the nation unless a whole hearted spirit of co-operation was shown by the rest of the people. "After all, rehabilitation is a national problem and everyone for whom these boys have fought has a duty to them. The soldiers fought for their homes, liberties, and lives, and it is up to us who did not fight in the shadows of death to see that they get the reward to which they are entitled. In other words, there is nothing too good for these men who have helped to save civilisation. Notwithstanding that, the returned men cannot reasonably expect to have everything on a silver platter. What they are entitled to, and what we arc expected to do. is the maximum within the scope of human possibilities. We cannot pursue a policy of handing out something for nothing. The honest-to-God man does not want that. He wants a chance to make good when he comes home and that is what we are attempting to give him.

"We are also determined that there will be no wildcat schemes, squandering the nation’s money and leaving the soldiers stranded.”