“BEST EVIDENCE YET”

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 55, 28 November 1929, Page 11

“BEST EVIDENCE YET”

SOLDIERS’ REHABILITATION COMMISSION SOME INTERESTING SUGGESTIONS Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, November 27. > Giving evidence before the Ex-Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission to-day, Francis William Hobbs, a member of the executive of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund, a member of the committee controlling the Rannerdale Soldiers' Home, a past president of the Canterbury Employers Association, and an ex-member of the Canterbury District Repatriation Board, said that from many years’ experience on organisations he was of opinion some change was needed from the present system of economic pensions. Important Points. “Two important points arise in considering this matter,” said Mr. Hobbs, “and they are (1) whether it is less expensive to the State to meet the needs of these men by continuing the system of economic pensions, or (2) whether it would not be much better both for the men and the State, even if it is more costly, to rehabilitate these men and make them capable citizens. lam of opinion that the cost of the latter would not be much greater, and even if it were so the financial loss should have no weight as against the greater benefit of rehabilitation.

“The methods to be adopted to attain this economic restoration imply—(l) Completion of training of partially competent tradesmen; (2) unskilled men to be trained in occupations which do not require a long apprenticeship; (3) a special labour bureau for ex-service men; (4) establishment of workshops and industries suited to men who have physical disabilities. Reopening of Repatriation Department. “I am of opinion that the reopening in a modified form of the Reparation Department should be authorised, with headquarters at Wellington. An office should be opened in each of the four main centres, the system to be confined to these four centres until it has been well tested. Men in the smaller centres could in urgent case b e transferred to the main centre for training. An advisory committee consisting of six good business men should be set up to control the activities in each of the four centres. The work of the District Officer would be to control the points mentioned above in subparagraphs (1), (2). (3), and (4). The capital for the establishment and equipment of the workshop must be a State charge, but it is important that the development of the industries should be on a sound commercial basis so that they may in a considerable degree be self-support-ing. To secure this it would be advisable to appoint a directorate from the Advisory Committee and other business men who, I am sure, would willingly give such service. The selection of suitable industries is, I am aware, confined to somewhat narrow limits and the capacity of the market to absorb the product is a factor that must be fully considered. On the other hand it is probable that experience will show that the number of men who will ‘carry on’ is also limited. Particular attention should be given to occupations which can be developed into ‘home industries,’ which the worker can develop in his own home at minor capital cost. I consider that the making of baskets, mats and wooden toys, and boot repairing. seeds, bedding plants, cut flowers, poultry, bees, etc., are nil worthy of investigation. Government farms do not appeal to me as a practical proposition, as the capital cost would be out of all proportion to the number of men who could be given the full-time employment which is so desired.” “This is the best evidence we have heard vet.” commented the chairman (Mr. .1. S. Barton, S.M.) when Mr. Hobbs had finished.