DISABLED SOLDIER PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 32, 1 November 1929, Page 13

DISABLED SOLDIER PROBLEM

FURTHER EVIDENCE BEFORE COMMISSION “ENOUGH OF BRASS HATS” By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin', October 31. A statement on behalf of the Manufacturers' Association was put before the Disabled Soldiers’ Commission to-day. The association considered that the present position was due to industrial depression, to too early closing-down of the Repatriation Department, and no organised effort by the civil population, backed by the Government, to absorb parti-ally-fit men. The association thought that a proportion might be industrially absorbed if the repatriation scheme were reopened, amendments made to the Arbitration Act permitting disabled ex-ser-vicemen to be employed as under-rate workers, such rate being brought to the award wage by an economic pension. Men could also be absorbed as telephone attendants, mail tally clerks, messengers, janitors, etc. As an incentive to employers, a scheme similar to the King’s Roll scheme in Britain was suggested, also influential local committees could do much to find niches for men. It was mentioned that in England many factories employed ex-servicemen on piece work; they were working just as long as they felt fit.

Mr. Love, representing the manufacturers, considered that the men wanted more sympathetic treatment. . In the case of a man periodically off, it would be better to give him a smaller allround wage and pay him for the time he was laid up. Mr. H. J. Farrant, who gave evidence ou behalf of the Southland War Funds Association and the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association, said that there were 174 men in Southland who came within the scope of the Commission’s reference. Most of them were more or less unemployed and seriously, handicapped in the open labour market. The amount of military pension paid to the partially disabled man whose disability was scheduled at less than 50 per cent, did not compenesate him for loss of earning opportunity, though it might be sufficient to meet his loss of earning power. If earning opportunity could be provided for these men their wages, plus pensions, would in most eases suffice for their ordinary needs. He was of opinion that 95 . per cent, of disabled men would respond to any means of help that might be extended to them. Dr. Lytb, Director of Tuberculosis Institutions under the Hospital Board, said that ill-health and lost initiative made it unlikely that mere training in a new occupation would lead to success. The organisation of a sheltered industry providing work of a character that did not involve strain was much more promising. Such work would improve the disabled man in body and mental outlook. Sympathy and tact were necessary in handling the problem. Mere officialdom was worse than useless. The soldier had seen too many brass hats.

Mr. H. F. Titcheher, formerly vocational officer in the Repatriation Department. said that the Government would require to assist any project that was put forward to help men, and unless a scheme had the practical support and sympathy of the employing public no success would meet its efforts. He advocated the resuscitation of whole or part of the machinery of the Repatriation Department, and a control board in Wellington, with local boards in the centres, and the establishment of a farm colony.