RETURNED SOLDIER PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 31, 31 October 1929, Page 12

RETURNED SOLDIER PROBLEMS

COMMISSION’S INVESTIGATIONS FURTHER EVIDENCE AT DUNEDIN By Telegraph.—Prea« Association. Dunedin, October 29. The commission investigating the possibility of providing economic employment for ex-Servicemen resumed its sitting this morning. Mr. Tannock, superintendent of the city reserves, said that returned men had been employed under his supervision and he had found them particularly anxious to work. He had organised poultry keeping, bee keeping, and vegetable growing, and had found the men willing to learn. If anything could be done in the matter of employing men at seed-raising he would be pleased to give assistance. Seed-rais-ing could be carried out in New Zealand just as well as in Denmark, Holland, Italy, Spain, and other European countries. In such a scheme a number of skilled men would be necessary. The men coming to him now were just as keen as those of years past. He advocated the establishment of villages where the men would have their own homes and plots. A central farm would do experimental work and supply the individuals who would supply the markets. He would endorse any general Government policy for the development of afforestation. The Government had established domains in many New Zealand towns which were liabilities rather than assets. If these areas were planted they would gradually increase in value. Further evidence was given by disabled men, who outlined their difficulties. Mr. C. B. Smith, president of the Red Cross Society, said that no difficulty was encountered in dealing with cases of Otago men, but cases of men who had enlisted in other districts had to be referred to the societies in those districts. He was of the opinion that the Dominion Council of the Red Cross Society would consider helping Australian, Canadian; and ex-imperial soldiers while in hospital. It would be possible to arrange for a refund from the Red Cross societies in the respective countries. He did not think the time was opportune to provide veterans’ homes; he favoured the establishment of a farming colony. FURTHER EVIDENCE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, October 30. At the commission of inquiry dealing with the unemployment problem as affecting the disabled soldier, Mr. Colquhoun, secretary of the Oamaru Returned Soldiers’ Association, said the paramount desire of the majority of returned men was to obtain work of a permanent nature in preference to an economic or subsidiary pension. When in employment the soldier was more contented. and his physical, moral, and mental condition was beneficially affected. The present system put a premium on indolence, and in some cases dishonesty. His association suggested a revival of the under-rate worker’s permit to disabled soldiers, with safeguards. Witness was willing to see an underrate worker’s permit granted to all returned soldiers, whether or not their trouble was traceable to war services. Evidence was given by a former officer of the Repatriation Department, who favoured a return to something on tne lines of the repatriation scheme. Medical evidence which was taken showed that unemployment had a psychological effect on disabled men, and that many, owing to stress of unemployment, had returned to hospital for treatment. One doctor suggested the appointment of vocational officers not connected with a Government Department who. could personally investigate cases. Their function would be to gain an intimate knowledge of the working capacity, mentality, habits, and home relations and environment of some of the men.