REPATRIATION BILL

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 136, 5 December 1918, Page 6

REPATRIATION BILL

In considering the Repatriation Bill it must be clearly understood that it is not the repatriation scheme; but only the merest legislative framework. Its bare lines haye 1 yet to be -covered xwifcb. the solid structure of policy,.and performance which will make sore the' rights and privileges of our soldiers who have become, or are soon to become, civilians. But as in constructive work of any kind it is important that thefrajnework be substantial and welldesigned, so it is essential ' that, the legislative basis of repatriation should be on correct lines. We believe that the Repatriation Bill fulfils • this requirement in a reasonable measure. It has not the perfection which it« tardy appearance led the public to expect, and we hope that it will not have the blemishes which its "hasty passage may reasonably produde. But, if its administration is good, it has many at least of the- features essential for a well-planned re-settlement policy. The disfavour with which members of the House of Representatives received the proposal .for a Ministerial Repatriation Board of four members is not to be wondered at. In such a multitude of counsellors wisdom is not found, but confusion, delay, and lack of responsibility—except under most fortunate circumstances. Because these fortunate circumstances may be present, we hesitate to predict even a partial failure of the scheme on that score. If ""the Director of Repatriation is a man of such power and judgment that he can direct his board as well as his department the defects of divided responsibility wilL be absent, and the advantages of the multitude of counsellors will be present. There is, therefore, greater reason*than ever for the exercise of the utmost care in'the seloction of a Director.

With other provisions of the Bill we are in cordial agreement; but, as Mr. Downie Stewart ably pointed out, and as we have previously said, such provisions need not have been so long delayed. It is but justice that assistance should be given to men desirous of establishing themselves in business. Those who hive neither the inclination for farming nor the qualifications should not be penalised, as they hare been up to the present. In business as well as on. .the land the discharged soldier must be guided by those well qualified to. advise and assist him, preferably by fellow-townsmen who .possess his confidence. The machinery-for this guidance is provided in the Bill, which authorises the formation, of district boards and local councils. On these boards and councila, Sir James Allen stated, all interested- organisations will be represented. If they display the same interest in the' career of tbe discharged soldier as they have previously shown in the soldier 01* service, they will assist materially in the task before the Dominion. Indeed, the importance .of the work devolving upon these local councils- cannot be over-emphasised. The Bill is merely the framework of the scheme,, arid in the ■nltimatexeckoning' the people of New Zealand are the builders for the future good. If the principles enunciated by the Minister for in introdjwjng the Bill are put into practice by all concerned, soldiers and citizens will yet be grateful for the delayed repatriation measure.