REPATRIATION

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1918, Page 6

REPATRIATION

GOVERNMENT'S PROBLEM

REMARKS BY MINISTERS

A SCHEME,IN PROSPECT.

Three Ministers of the Crown spoke on repatriation a,t last night's meeting of the Wellington Returned Soldiers'; Clubhouse Society—and a hint was given that a definite scheme might tie soon visible.'' Sir James Allen referred-to the variety of work that would be necessary for the help of various classes of-returned men! He repeated his recent remarks about the preparations for orthopedic work (the maximum physical restoration c-f the disabled) by medical men'who had gained very valuable experience overseas. ' . NEURASTHENICS.; .. . ■ r

One of the most-;difficult tasks would ?if TJ, ,men described as neurasthenic—, the shell-shock cases'! and others. Even medical men, it seemed, had not yet discovered the right.way of dealing with such cases., His belief'was that a new science was. about-;tombs' evolved for the treatment of such men, who deserved the sympathy of the whole public. At present the treatment might err on the side of kindness or hardness; the problem was to nnd some satisfactory middle course, me authorities were working at it, and: he was confident that the right way would be found; > ' ■ :■- ■■•'- ■

, NEW OCCUPATIONS. :' He again mentioned the educational and training work for soldiers, overseas, under the direction of Genera) Richard- 1 son, who had received a grant of £3000 from the Government for this purpose. This work would be continued on the transports, and-would be co-ordinated with a policy in New Zealand. ■ Tenders had been called for workshops at Rotorua (at an estimated cost'of between £3000 and £4000), and it was intended to have similar equipment at Rotorua. The'Minifter warmly praised the New Zealand Ked Cross Society for its co-operation in this practical repatriation. -(Applause.)

MINISTER OF REPATRIATION.

He knew that there was a great demand for a Minister of. Repatriation. (Hear/hear.) Undoubtedly it was desirable to have a Minister directly responsible to his colleagues in the Government and to Parliament for, the! welfare of returned soldiers, but there was a difficulty in details. New Zealand had the same difficulties- as other: countries. -1 He had studied all the systems—British,. Canadian, Australian, United States (as far as this country had gone), French, and Italian. All these countries had discovered that the repatriation of soldiers concerned ,so many Departments of State that it was difficult to co-ordinate all the. activities under one head. Such a task, seemed almost impossible under one man,but it might be possible to get the necessary co-ordination under a commission. Canada had already "scrapped f^eaps of plans," He was afraid.that a good many of the schemes' were merely things on paper—-and he did not want a thing of paper. The Government wished to have a reali practicable-policy: -„ SALVATIONIN WORK.' ; ; Sir James gave an assurance that the Government was eager to do all in its power to help all classes of returned men to re-establishe themselves in useful employment. The sooner this could be done the bettefcjit : ; would"-be for the men; themselves and for the whole community. The best service that could be done^ for a returned soldier'<&as to find for him, as soon ■as practicable, work, in which he could have pleasure. In - the formulating of a big policy it had been an advantage *to avoid mistakes that could be • made in haste;. New Zealand would have the benefit of other, countries' experience. . ■,

The Hon. Arfchw Myers said that members of the Government, would give their whole-hearted support to sound plans of repatriation. He believed there was no other man in New Zealand.who had given so much: time and attention as Sir James All^n ,to ax satisfactory solution of this problem. He spoke from personal .knowledge of the Defence Minister's work! ,Mr. Myers also praised the keen enthusiasm of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Lands and Discharged Soldiers' Information Departments). The Hon. D. H. Gnthrie. remarked, that Sir James x had 'a scheme up his sleeve" which, he,believed! would prove satisfactory to.returned soldiers and the public. He was confident that, it would be regarded as .'.a* magnificent scheme. Mr. Guthne, said he believed that Sir James Allen's plan would provide, under one direction, for a co-operation of all . Ministers whose .Departments were concerned with returned soldiers' affairs.. '■'.■'. ,! ■, ■ . ':,-. '• ■