NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 31 January 1918, Page 3

NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE

AWARDS FOR ESSAYS

FOLLOWING is a list of winners of medals and certificates offered for the best essay on " How to Help Disabled Soldiers in Civil Life."

First prizes (gold medals presented by F. Cooper, Ltd., seed merchants): Boys, A. E. King, Waitaki High School; girls, Winnie Mahon, Aratapu High School. Special prize, Helen Scanlon, Kaitawa School. Eketahuna. Certificates of Merit: May E. Barltrop, Taupaki; F. Finn, North Forest Hill; J. S. Bellamy, Rongahere ; G. Gillard, Thames ; E. Matthew, Pleckville; D. Bond, Mataroa; C. Mear, Okakukura ; C. Cobb, Taupaki; J. 1 Kettle, Pirinoa; M. Hobson, Hatuma; T. Jansen, Tongaporutu; L. Askew, Aratapu; L. Hirst, Russell; Ivy Bennett. Port Albert.

The judge decided that the best way to help disabled soldiers in civil life is well described in the winning 'essay of A. E. King, which is published below :—

" The soldier, disabled temporarily or permanently in the defence of his country's honour, has ever evoked feelings of pride and sympathy, and to-day there are many outlets for the practical expression of these feelings.

" First of all, to greet the return of our wounded, there should be created an atmosphere of cheeriness and encouragement, and the gratitude of those for whom they have suffered can materially, by gifts and judicious entertainment, lighten the period of convalescence.

"Before the soldier is discharged from hospital, complete arrangements should be made for bis future. If not disabled, much can be done in procuring employment for him in the work for which he was previously trained. If, however, unable to pursue, through disability, his former occupation, he should be sympathetically educated in a new vocation, such as bee or fruit farming, for a disabled farmer, or a commercial life for a man no longer able to follow his trade. Many men could be instructed in special trades, and here unions must be influenced to favour employers giving work to disabled soldiers at rates agreeable to their employees.

" The greatest support to the incapacitated soldier is rendered by bringing continual pressure to bear upon the Government to safeguard his pension rights and to facilitate a new start in farming or civilian life.

"Worthiest of every possible assistance is the soldier, who, by self sacrifice, has lost his health and become completely disabled while barely at the prime of life, and the Government must be influenced to realise that he should be comfortably provided, for by a liberal life pension, and not by public subscription, which tends to undermine the independence he deserves.

" Patriotic demonstration is often as short-lived as it is spontaneous, and the returned soldier merits, and appreciates, assistance unselfishly rendered, and honour sincerely accorded."