WORK FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3011, 23 February 1917, Page 6

WORK FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

OBSTACLES TO PLACING MEN

DISSATISFIED EMPLOYERS IN

NEW SOUTH WALES,

A. rcmarkablo report on the employment of rpturued soldiers has been submitted, to the New South Wales State War Council by its. employment subcommittee (states the Sydney "Djyly Telegraph"). This deals with the difficulties of re-establishing returned soldiers and tho efforts made to overcome them. It is explained that ten thousand large display cards have been distributed among employers of labour, drawing their attention 1 to the requirements of the returned soldiers and asking their assistance and co-operation in placing the men in employment. The Department of Labour and Industry, the Employers' Federation, tho Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber of Manufactures have given much assistance in this respect. The daily papers are closely scanned, and where positions are advertised which may fit the returned soldier, canvassers are immediately on the spot, and the advertiser IB asked before he makes his selection to allow the War Council to send him a returned soldier. In addition, the large Government workshops, both Commonwealth and State, Railway Commissioners, and other largo factor-' ios are kept in touch with/so that all their vacancies may be filled by returned soldiers where the latter are able to discharge tho duties.

"The greatest difficulty is experienced in finding suitablo positions for men who are only fit for light work, and a number are not fit to do much of that, while others again are unemployable. Some are still suffering from shattered nerves and other ailments; the curse of drink is a- millstone round their necks, keeping them down and retarding their recovery. We help them up and put them into a job, but the first pay-day down they go, and it is a sad and painful sight to see staggering and drunk about the streets some of the 'bravest things God ever made.' "

A list of the firms and employers who have expressed dissatisfaction at the way tEey Tiaye been treated by these weaker men is given. "Some of the men only a few days and are not again seen; others absent themselves without leave, while others after being engaged never turn up to start work! In spije.of this treatment most; of the firms "are.sticking to it. As ono large firm put it, "We decided some time ago to employ returned soldiers only, and still intend to, but it. is causing" a terrible lot of inconvenience and loss of money." '

/ The case of men handicapped by their injuries' is heiog dealt with by the Disablement Sub-committe of' the council. The resources of the Education tocpnrtment of tho State, including the Technical College, are being used by the Disablement Committee for the purpose of teaching men trades or professions or whatover the committeethinis the men are best fitted for, and' no fees of any kinu are charged. For the purpose of growing and curing tobacco leaf, under expert guidance, ten mon have been placed on a Government farm at Yanco, and the officer in charge reports favourably on their work. Tills -department has supplied the men for orchard ; work at Matraville and in the district at Batlow, and wo shall shortly be asked ,to supply men for the farms at Mirrool.

Up to the present time private employers have offered 4313 jobs, while the Commonwealth has given 1753 positions, and the State follows closely, with 1520, making the total number of positions offered to returned soldiers 1 586. Many of the positions, especially those of the Commonwealth and State, are of.a temporary character, lasting only a few months, so that tho soldiers are always coming back for another job. The positions. filled in private establishments number 3022, those in the Commonwealth 1464, and those in State Government 942, makinc in all 5428 positions filled by returned* soldiers through the State. Many of the men have had six or more positions found for them by the branch since their return.