AFTER THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 241, 29 June 1918, Page 8

AFTER THE WAR

— THE REPATRIATION QUESTION A WELLINGTON MOVE At a meeting of the executive of the War Belief Association of Wellington yesterday, the question of the repatriation of soldiers was raised. Mr. G.' Hutchison thought that preparation should be. made now. "hey should have a New Zealand conference, and see what could be done. Thev would not get much from politicians till some stir was made. Mr. L. 0. Hi Tripp asked if it_ would be advisable to make a ttart in Wellington.

Mr. Hutchison said that they did not want to shirk their duty to the young men who had gone away. They should make a strong appeal to the Government, who would, 110 doubt, sit up and. take notice. H<?. felt sure that the thing was to obtain. the machinery—to get a .Minister of Repatriation and the necessary machinery.

Mr. Tripp thought a sub-committee might be set up to go into the matter. Mr. Hutchison said that wo should at once set in motion a scheme for repatriation which would ensure the men suitable work. Idleness must be avoided; it would be the worst possible thing for the men. If we did not prepare now we might be caught unawares, for it would not take long to return most 0£ the men. '

Sir. G. Shirtcliffe said that he believed there would be ample work for men in New Zealand for years to come. Re thought tho only fear might be men who were maimed; for the fit men thero would be no difficult)- in their getting back to employment. And the fit men would be about 70 per cent, of the total, so that there remained about 30 per cent, to be otherwise cared for. If another department was set up, he was afraid confusion might result. It was resolved that the association should send a remit to the annual meeting of the patriotic societies, to be held in August, to the effect that this sub-' ject be taken into special consideration. Messrs. Tripp and Hutchison are to ba the delegates to the meeting.