DISABLED SOLDIER PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 45, 16 November 1929, Page 13

DISABLED SOLDIER PROBLEM

FURTHER EVIDENCE Dominion Special Service. Auckland, November 15. That at no time since the Great War has there been a termination of the duty to provide useful and health-giving occupations for returned soldiers, was the view advanced by Sir James Gunson, president of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association, when giving evidence before the Returned Soldiers’ Rehabitation Commission to-day. Toward the solution of the problem which has arisen. Sir James suggested that the Government and organisations concerned in the work since 1914 should continue their activities with the co-ope-r tion of all classes of the community.. He advocated the subdivising of labour in both town and country to enable employers to use the services of men not capable of normal effort or output, and the stimulation of New Zealand industries by a revision of Customs tarff. Mr. A. G. Lunn, past president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, said if a sound and economical scheme were brought into operation, it would undoubtedly receive the full support of the chamber. In regard to the economic pension the chamber was of opinion that the present system, by which, if the man obtained work and earned money, the pension was correspondingly reduced, tended to demoralise him. and discourage the desire to work. It was thought that this should be remedied, and that the reduction of pension should represent only a part of the earnings. Mr. William Slaughter, officer in charge of the Auckland office of the Deartment of Labour, spoke in support of the formation of a corps of commissionaires. as suggested by the committee of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. He was of opinion that that this could be done without seriously undermining the principles of trade unionism, and if properly handled, such a scheme.would, enable the men concerned to regain their selfrespect and self-reliance, and. enable the majority of them to earn a living without making any serious call on the Government in the shape of subsidies. He thought' that no scheme for absorbing those men in private employment would meet with any great success. Referring to the legislation which would be required if these proposals were to be put into force, Mr. Slaughter said the effect on trade unionism in comparison with the results that could be achieved would be almost negligible, as only one union in which a fair percentage of members who were ex-servicemen would be affected, and then only in respect of employment by local authorities and public bodies. Statutory powers. could. be given to the corps of commissionaires to register as an industrial organisation.