WORK FOR EX-SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 40, 15 August 1918, Page 8

WORK FOR EX-SOLDIERS

EW PUBLIC SERVICE.

■•■The^local 'morning 'papers'pubKshed to-day the following statement by the Hon. G.W. 1 Russell,, Minister in Charge of;, the" Eublic. .Service :— ",'.

. '-"All Departments have been specially notified that/.preference' in "all cases .is ..to be'*given'' to:';returried''soldiers for casual work, and in the case of work ;likely tb'.'last''for"-some" time the Public Service Commissioner invariably considers first tlte claims' of returned soldiers for any position for which they are suitable'in preference to other applicants. ';;.'. No less than 993 returned soldiers 'have already been found ■ employment'in the Public' Service, but I regret to say that'only 590 of the men have remained in the Service."

\J* The "Chairman!; of,lt-lie Wellington Returned" .Soldiers' -Association" said that this body would like to know the kind of positions field by returned men in the ■.PubUc^SeiKce;::. In"the 400 cases of resignations, how many of the positions were ofronly a" temporary, casual chai I-[.acter?--His Reeling.-was that large numbers of the' men' had held' only minor casual ■ positions, which they had left ■for.-better, permanent work-with private employers.." In the absence of details, the "Minister's: ■words 1-"-!" regret to say" -might vtend^ to-'cast-a. slur on'the men. -If ,400 .vacancies had\been caused by the resignations of returned men, why had not this matter been announced 1 ' His' association, and Mothers . would, have been,pleaseo:, to have, information of such vacancies," which could; have been filled by" returned soldiers "now awaiting suitable, employment. ' "Numerous '■ applications for work were being received. The committee would be glad if employers who. had openings would communicate with the association's secretary.