AFTER THE WAR.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 26 May 1915, Page 3

AFTER THE WAR.

EM^LOYMEN^SbE R__t.URNED

The old English problem, "What, shall we do with our boysj"' will, like the poor, be witji us always,-but during the next few years it is lively to "tase a backseat" in favor of "What shall we do with the unwanted soldier F"—the man who has' "done his bit'" in the fighting line tor the Empire, and on his return to civil lite finds the niche lie hoped to fill already tenanted, or the man who, through honorable wounds, can no longer earn his living in the way he was accustomed to do before he became a soldier of the King. There is also to be considered the man who, taken from the clerk's desk; or the factory, has by reason of his life m the open air become more or less unfitted for a return to his, former mode of life. "I shall never be able to go1 back to the old business after this," B- 3H. Army man to me the other day. "After only six months of this sort of thing the very idea of going back to ten hours a day in an office fairly scared me; in fact, I believe the confinement would drive me crazy." This man only voiced the sentiments of hundreds of /young fellows who .-have been "roughing it" in the training camps throughout Great Britain and at the front since the war began.

The subject of providing employment for ex-soldiers after the war has been taken up by the London Standard, whose representatives have been interviewing representative men of all ranks thereon. Amongst the inquisitor's victims was the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, New Zealand's High Commissioner, whose views will be of interest to your readers (says the special correspondent of the Auckland Star, writing from London on March 28). *

AN IMPERIAL TASK

In the course of the interview Mr Mackenzie said: ""

"I have read the interviews with Lord Grey and Lord Lytton, and I notice that both bring out strongly the Imperial aspect of the problem of providing employment fpr discharged soldiers at the termination of the war. In the words of Lord Lytton, this is a matter in which the Empire should act as a whole. It seems to me that this is only one of very many points on which the Empire must, after the war, act in unison. Conditions have passed the initial stage, and I fe6l persuaded' that if our Empire is to be knit firmly together very great developments in regard to co-ordinate action must occur. THE QUESTION OF NUMBERS.

"As to the nature of the problem that will confront us when peace is declared, I do not agree with those who think there is likely to be an enormous number of men unemployed unless the war ends economical! v very seriously for the Allies, and, by the same token, for the Empire. Not five per cent, of the men now enrolled are, I believe, regular soldiers. The rest are the pick of our people who have volunteered. They have left the plough, the desk, the counter, the factory, the professions, and universities, to play >ir part. Numbers, unfortunately, will give up tiieir lives; but the work they are doing will still. require to be done, and the fact that fewer workers will be available should surely not lead to an increase of unemployment. "It it said that numbers"-of men will, be restless and unsettled after their experience of soldiering, and unable to resume their former sedentary occupations; and it is suggested that they shduld have an outlet for their energies and an opportunity of beginning life afresh in the Dominions. So far as New Zealand is concerned it should, I think, be clearly stated that the men wanted there are those who have had special training in agriculture and kindred industries. Inexperienced men- would be unwise to embark on such a life.

DOING THE RIGHT THING.'

'Lord Grey, I notice, is of opinion that we cannojb discuss this matter too soon or too fully. Perhaps not," said Mr Mackenzie. "But if the discussion forecasts such a pessimistic outlook, as some seem to indicate, may it not have a depressing influence on the situation, particularly in regard to recruiting? I am quite sure of this, however, that the New Zealand Government will do the right thing whatever circumstances the defenders of the Empire may be placed in when the war is brought to a close.

■_v" ItJ? as' °* oom' se i to be remembered that New Zealand has -sent, and is sending, many men to the front, and those who may be injured in the w.-r will require to be, and will be, properly cared for; and I feel sure that Great Britain will see to it that every man who has gone forth to fight for King and country shall, if disabled, nevlr lack assistance."

TRAINING NEEDED

_ Mr Mackenzie is of opinion that it is. not too soon to discuss the establishment of special training and experimental farms, where men could be instructed on lines that would lead to their success should they select to e~°k their fortunes in the oversea Dominions. "'Speaking with a good deal of practical experience," he remarked, 1 think the policy should be to engag., instructors from countries where intensive cultivation is carried on and also competent men from the oversea Dominions, wbo would give new ideas and advice which would be of practical value afterwards. These farms should be established in England, and not abroad The men should have bright and pleasant surroundings, and iV'is most important that they should be employed mentally as-well as physically, so as to restore their nerves after the terrible tension caused by their experiences at the front."