“WORK FOR ALL”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21549, 31 October 1944, Page 4

“WORK FOR ALL”

AUSTRALIAN DEMAND REHABILITATION POLICY requestsln \N.S.W. . SYDNEY. Oct. no. Trade unionists, and returned soldiers have attacked preference to returned- servicemen as an Australian post-war policy. They were speaking at a conference of 250 delegates from New South Wales labour councils unions, shop committees and ex-sey-vicemen’s organisations. Most of the speakers declared that “work for rill” was the only intelligent policy which the Federal. Government could follow in its rehabilitation schemes. A declaration unanimously agreed to ,by the conference called on the Federal Government to make known at price its post-war plans. The dm claration said, in part,, that ltd. employment was the solution, to ilu problem of re-absorbing 000.000 men and women from the services ini'civilian life that rising standards and living, better housing and economic security would be necessary. Because of the Allied victories the need for concrete plans was urgent. There was insufficient planning to meet the needs of 200,000 men and women already discharged from the services. Other requests to t.he Government included: The establishment of a Ministry of Post-war Reconstruction under a separate Minister,. .the shorXemng" 'bf the ' working" "week, the establishment of o vocational "u’d ante department to help ex-service-men to select' jobs. an increase of 20 per cent in soldiers’ pensions, an increase in service rates of pav bv a day for wives and Gd a day ,fe--children: and the introduction of a “brittle bonus” Tor front-im/? troops.