WORKLESS VETERANS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 225, 19 June 1936, Page 2

WORKLESS VETERANS

Concern For Disabled Men R.S.A. RESOLUTIONS Returned soldiers are apprehensive that those of them who have been unemployed may not be able to comply with the Government’s demand for complete efficiency in return for the standard wages it intends to pay. The rising of a younger generation, with which many ex-soldiers are unable to compote, also is found to discount other influences tending to improve their economic position. The conference of file New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association yesterday passed the following motions: “Experience having shown that many returned men are unable to compete with the younger generation in the industrial world, we strongly urge the Canteen Funds Board and National War Funds Council not to reduce tJie present allocations made to relieve the distress among ex-servicemen owing to the fact that more returned soldiers are becoming a charge on our funds.”

“That this meeting appreciates the efforts of the Government to provide fulltime employment at standard rates of pay for fit ex-servicemen. It strongly urges, however, that the claims of the unfit soldier should not lie overlooked in the Government's employment programme. It therefore advocates that more positions such as messengers, liftmen, cleaners, caretakers, crossing-keepers, clerks, collectors, etc., in the Government, and local body service, should be reserved for suitable selected disabled men, and supports any representations that may be made by the Re-establishment League asking preference for products manufactured by exservice men.”

“That it be suggested to the Governinent that men over 50 be provided with work of a lighter nature than is usually afforded in the Public Works camps.” The convener of the employment committee, Mr. S. P. Day, said it was apparent that the fit man had not been so much the concern of associations recently as had the disabled man. Mr. W. E. Leadley (Christchurch) said there was a grave danger of the claims of the disabled ex-servicemen being overlooked in the Government’s plans. He described the methods of giving preference to ex-soldiei's in employment in other countries.

A motion moved by Mr. O. AV. Batten, a member of the Dominion executive committee, that the beadquarters of the association co-operate with associations away from AVellington in securing Government positions; for returned soldiers, was defeated, Mr. R. AV. AVise (AA'estern Suburbs, Auckland) pointing out that it was illegal for anyone to attempt to influence the Public Service Commissioner in favour of an applicant. Mr. S. V. Ziman (Cambridge) also opposed the motion, and asserted that they were citizens as well as returned soldiers, and the suggestion was opposed to the longaccepted principles of the citizens of New Zealand.