DISABLED SOLDIERS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 102, 11 April 1933, Page 9

DISABLED SOLDIERS

FORMATION OF RE-ESTABLISH-MENT LEAGUE. ADMINISTRATION OF FUNDS. WELLINGTON. April 10. Arrangumeiits for the formation of an incorporated body called “The Soldiers’ Re-establishment League,” which Will administer funds available for finding work lor disabled soldiers, were made at a recent conference in Wellington attended by representntives of tho Rehabilitation Advisory Committee in the various centres, mid the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association. From the proceeds of the art union drawn last August the association received £7,04'1 10/1 for use in assisting ex-service men drawing the economic pension, mid the administration of this money will be undertaken by the league. Mr W H. Hewitt, employment officer for the Wellington district, explained on Saturday that the conference had been called to consider it scheme for the re-establishment of disabled soldiers. He explained that the Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment League would consist of Dominion headquarters and branches, the latter comprising the Local Advisory Committees appointed under the Disabled Soldiers' Civil Reestablishment Act, The Dominion headquarters of tho league, would control and administer all moneys donated or granted to it for the purpose of creating, establishing or obtaining adequate, suitable and preferably permanent employment for ex-service men Tho Branches would be the agents of headquarters, and would thoroughly investigate any suggested schemes which were considered feasible ar I suitable avenues for utilising th ;mining earning ability of disab., diers. Recommendations could i,u made to headquarters. The League would have power to carry into effect all or any of the recommendations of the Disabled Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission. The Wellington Advisory Committee, said Mr Hewitt, had started a scheme similar to that already in operation in Christchurch, whereby some 30 disabled soldiers were making articles such as woodwork toys and novelties, leather bags and purses, women's slippers and sweets in their own homes. The inauguration of the scheme was reflected in a display at the Winter Show. Immediately after the show it was intended to open a shop in tho city for the sale of the various articles. The scheme was the initial effort of the Disabled Soldiers’ Re-establishment Committee, in Wellington, and if successful it was likely that other schemes to employ disabled soldiers in suitable occupations would bo put into operation.