EMPLOYERS’ DUTY

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1946, Page 2

EMPLOYERS’ DUTY

GOVERNOR-GENERAL SPEAKS TO R.S.A. MEMBERS

REHABIUTATION NEEDS . “The Returned Services’ Association is the strongest trade union in the world, and it is our duty to see that returned men are given a square deal,” said the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg, speaking to a gathering of Greymouth R.S.A. members yesterday afternoon. “If necessary, employers must be prepared to carry men for a time until they can fit them into a job in which they can really pull their weight,” he added. Rehabilitation was going fairly well, said His Excellency. There was a sellers’ market at present as far as jobs were concerned, but it might not be so easy In a year or two. Seventyfive per cent, of rehabilitation was normal, in that men were settled in jobs by their own efforts or by their families, but the care of the other 20 to 25 per cent, was the responsibility, not of the Government nor any other group, but of everybody, he said. “Rehabilitation really means the giving of something for nothing to the returned man,” said Sir Bernard. “Unless it assumes that meaning in practical form it is merely lip service.” he added. The Governor-General said that functions where he met his old comrades in arms were the easiest and most pleasant to attend. He felt that he and members of the R.S.A. had much in common. He wished to pay a special tribute to the members of the Ist N.Z.E.F. who had paved the way for the rehabilitation of the mon returning from the recent war. They had always been behind the troops overseas and had done all in their power to help them. The tradition of the Ist N.Z.E.F. had been such that, when he was called upon to take the 2nd N.Z.E.F. to Greece he had gone with nothing but a feeling of superiority over any troops that might be encountered. Particular praise for the re-estab-lishment centres for the disabled was expressed by Sir Bernard. A wonderful work was being done and the progress made by disabled men was nothing short of marvellous. The Governor-General said he wished to associate himself with the sorrow of R.S.A. members in the death of their vice-president, Mr. J. J. Crooks. Mr. Crooks had been a friend of his son and he (the Governor-Gen-eral) had also known him quite well. Members observed a minute’s silence as a tribute to the memory of Mr. Crooks. . The function was an informal affair and His Excellency moved about the room and engaged most of the large number of returned men present in conversation.