DISABLED SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 21639, 7 February 1934, Page 7

DISABLED SOLDIERS

DIFFICULTY OF FINDING EMPLOYMENT GOOD WORK OF DUNEDIN COMMITTEE “ The work of finding employment for disabled returned soldiers commenced here about two years ago, and, while definite progress has been made, it has been limited very considerably by the lack of finance and lack of co-ordi-nation between the centres,” stated Mr A. J. Gordon (local employment officer under the Discharged Soldiers’ Civd Reestablishment Act) to a reporter today. “However, now that the newlyformed Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment League has been established, prospects for the future are extremely brighter. “ Due to the economic conditions prevailing since the inception of the scheme, it has been very difficult to establish these disabled men in private employment. Apart Irom physical disabilities, the age_ of the average returned soldier mitigates against his successful re-establishment, especially in industrial concerns. “ Twelve months ago, the Dunedin Committee under the Disabled Soldiers Civil Ee-establishment Act gave a lead in the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers by establishing a factory wherein these men could be taught a trade. The output of this factory has consisted principally of fibre and leather suit case and handbag goods. Contracts for dog collars for local bodies throughout New Zealand have also been carried out very successfully. Several of the employees have reached a very high degree of efficiency, and will shortly be in a -"position to take their places in the industrial community. “ Already a considerable sum of money lias been saved to tbe country through decreased pensions. _ Several pensioners have been established on small holdings, but here again lack ot sufficient available finance has considerably handicapped progress. ' “1 have a number of partially disabled ex-soldiers who were, prior to disablement, ex-farmers and farm employees, desiring to get on to small holdings of a few acres, but until more generous financial arrangements are available 3 see bo hope of assisting these men. It would be impossible to successfully re-establish them in industrial occupations. Many of these men have considerable ability which is deteriorating due to lack of opportunity to use it. Alter the service they have rendered their country it is a very great pity that they are to-day forced to remain in idleness, existing on a pension, in many cases meagre in comparison with the income they could have been receiving had they not incurred war disabilities. “ Unless the provisions of the present legislation are widened considerably, giving the recently-formed league increased scope in which to carry out its activities, then tho country will have no alternative but to face increased taxation in the near future.