R.S.A. ACTIVITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 23, 27 July 1933, Page 17

R.S.A. ACTIVITIES

UNEMPLOYED MEN

ADDITIONAL .ASSISTANCE

Schemes designed, to give additional assistance to unemployed returned soldiers were outlined at a meeting of the executive of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association last evening. The 'proposals were contained in a report from the auxiliary subcommittee, and they had the full approval of the meeting.

It is proposed wherever possible to 'find work for unemployed returned men, on days when they five not engaged on relief jobs, which will benefit other unemployed soldiers. This work is to bo paid for at .tho rate of 5s a day in cash or supplies by the Returned Soldiers'. Association, and the products of tho men's labour are- to be sold to unemployed soldiers at a nominal rate, cither in cash or by work. Men who desire work or supplies under this mutual scheme will be required to re^ gister, and they will be, allotted work

according to'thgir circumstances. The nature of the work to-be undertaken is firewood" collecting, cutting, and' selling to men registered under the scheme, potato and onion growing,- etc., boot repairing, and furniture making.' Colonel E./S/ McQuarrie said.it was proposed under this soh'eme to give not ■more than; two days^ work a-wcek. Only men registered under the "scheme would be able to participate.

The, chairman (Colonel A. Cowles) said ,tho scheme appealed to him. as a definite effort to get some constructive policy going. The majority of j unemployed men, .especially returned soldiers, wanted work, not 'charity, and if they could provide' that work, even if it was only in a small way,'it would be well worth while.

Colonel McQuarrie. outlined'what ho described as a definite scheme for procuring firewood at Porirua. H© estimated that it would be possible fe'om this source to distribute £190 -in wages at a cost of £50 to the association. . ' . •

•Another proposal submitted was the subsidising of work provided for returned men by private people or employers who are unable to pay the full rate on a ■fifty-fifty basis, up to 10s a day.

The report also provided for pra;

gressive schemes of',-work in local schools and' for local community projects on which njen can work in .pay* ment of assistance, if sufficient ", mutual" soldiers' work is not avaik able. ~ '

, Colonel Cowles said ho had read the report with great . pleasure, pud he Wanted to. congratulate , Cqlonel McQuarrie on the time he had put into the work and the fine result of his offorts. It was a congtru,qtive plan, and he believed a practical one, Tho plan had many virtues, and his view was that with Colonel MqQuwie's ability and enthusiasm tI)G scheme, would be pushed right through, find he-hail-no■ doupt -about its ultimate success. ■

" Colonel Sir Fitzroy D. Maclean,. Scotland's oldest- Highland chief, recently celebrated his ninety-eighth birthday in his Isle of Mull stronghold, Duart Castle. This home of his aiicestprs, built in' 1250,-- lay in ruins for- many centuries. ■ As a boy the young Maclean vowed that he would-restore the old home—a vow which he fulfilled a few years ago. Sir 'Fitzroy f.ought.in the Crimean War and was so severely wounded that' he was given only a few hours to live.