EX-SERVICE MEN

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1929, Page 7

EX-SERVICE MEN

SCHEMES OF EMPLOYMENT. CO3l MISSION HEARS EVIDENCE AT WELLING TON. WELLINGTON, Dec. 6. Sonic of the problems of meeting the needs of re,turned soldiers now in receipt of economic pensions or other returned soldiers who cannot obtain such relief, but who are through infirmity unable to support themselves, were dealt with by Major-General Sir A. IT. Russell, Dominion president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, when he gave evidence before the Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission to-day. Sir Andrew Russell said the eases might be divided into three classes: — (1) Those incapacitated by physical disablement due to wounds and thereby prevented from following pre-war occupations, but of good mental and moral stability and with physical const i tuti on unim pa i red. (2) Those suffering disablement due to exposure, gassing, nervous strain, T. 8., neurasthenics, and certain classes of wounds; not always of good mental and moral stability, and with physical constitution impaired. (3) 'Phase suffering from incapacity due to premature ageing and general lowered efficiency; mental and moral stability often low, with loss of initiative, power of resistance and of continuous effort ; physical constitution commonly impaired. “To meet their needs,” he said, “we have at present the economic pension and a preference somewhat difficult to exercise. Of the above classes, as a rule only those in Class 1 are fit subjects for employment in tho Public. Service, by firms, and by private persons, and even so vocational training for the particular wort available may be necessary. For thos e in Class 1 an appeal to the sympathy of private persons or firms through such medium as the King’s Roll ol Honour will not in New Zealand, anymore than it has done in England solve the difficulty. Compulsory employment of a definite percentage of disabled men according to the number of employees has been put into operation in Germany, but with little measure of success, and is reported to be more distasteful to the disabled employee than to the employer. .Such a system would appear inapplicable to this country. An occasional case may be found in Class 2 fit for general work, where the employer understands the subject’s disability and is ready to make due allowance for an irn.pa.i red physique. “More frequent cases may probably bo found in Class 3, but only where work of a very light nature is offered. Nevertheless, every endeavour should be made to find occupation for as many as possible, if only to lessen the numbers to be dealt with otherwise. By 7 ‘otherwise’ it is intended to convey- either (1) establishment of such men on small holdings or in some private enterprise; (2) establishment of these men In what may be termed village settlements; (3) hoarding out with friends or preferably relative-ni-'y in some cases be eppiicu da to Class 3.” That sniisid’sed employment and training ofib'-il 'he be„i prisp.-cis success in tho i use of 11..> employable economic pensioner was the opinion voiced by 7 Mr T 1 Riddle, officer in charge of tho Repatriation Branch, State Advances Office. He suggested than an improvement in the case of the unemployable man could best be effected by providing him with some occupational activity 7 in his own home under the supervision of the vocational after-care officer. "When it had been proved by experience that the subsidy scheme was inadequate to deal with present conditions and that something more was needed, it would then, be thought, be time enough to consider the establishment of special workshops for disabled men, farm colonies, etc. “1 would therefore suggest,” lie said, “the following; “(1) Revive tlie ‘subsidised wages’ scheme for tho training and employment of disabled soldiers in factories, workshops, farms, and other pursuits, ns inaugurated by the Discharged Soldiers’ Information Department, and carried on by the Repatriation Department. “(2) Revive, if necessary, authority to enable an. unemployable economic pensioner to acquire-or build a home under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act. Get authority to collect interest, sinking fund, and outgoings from the economic pension. “(31) Appoint a chief vocational after-care officer in Wellington and four district officers at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. “(4) Set up honorary committees whore necessary to advise and assist the district vocational officer in all matters pertaining to the reliabilitaion of the disabled soldier and economic pensioner. The committee might consist of the following members: The pensions doctor, the director of the Technical School, the secretary R.S.A., the Inspector of Factories, the employer, and the secretary of the trades union concerned. The three latter would constitute the ‘wages’ committee necessary under the training Order-in-Couneil Representatives of other public bodies, say the Patriotic Association and Employers’ Association, etc., could, of course, be added.” The Commission adjourned till Monday.