WORKLESS SOLDIER’S COMPLAINT.

Evening Star, Issue 18052, 21 August 1922, Page 7

WORKLESS SOLDIER’S COMPLAINT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—-I would like to know if the Repatriation Department ever looks round to try to find employment for returned men, or if it waits round for jobs to turn up. I have been in search of j job for i some time, and. thought I would try the Repatriation Department. The only satisfaction I got was that it never has a job now from one week’s end to the other. I was allowed to sign a form, and was told it was just as well to be on the books, and to call again. I did; but tho same depressing answer—no hope of work. Not a word to say they would try to find) something; just the one thing—no hope. Of course, I could see that the officer in charge was in a hurry, to drink the cup _ of tea which the girl had just brought in, and it would bo a pity to let it get cold over such a small item as work, I am a married man with one child, and I think it is a pity we cannot have even the satisfaction of knowing someone is trying to do something for us. I hope this letter will be the means of stirring things up a bit.— I am, etc., Returned Soldier, August 17. [On making inquiry of the officials of the local Repatriation Office a reporter was informed that, so far as private employment was concerned, at present and for some considerable time past the department had none to offer. This was accounted for by tho fact that there were so many men continually calling at business houses, factories, firms, etc., that employers were in a position to pick and choose their men. With regard to relief works, the department could always place necessitous cases. Such positions were open only to married men, but as the work was in the country it meant that a man must keep two homes going. Very few were prepared to accept under such conditions. and those who did accept did not remain long at the job. JJhe department was doing all its possibly could for returned men, but was not in a position to create work. —Ed. E.'S.]