RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Marlborough Express, Volume LII, Issue 83, 12 April 1918, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

QUESTION OF EMPLOYMENT,

APPEAL TO FARMERS IN THE SOUNDS GaUNTY.

The secretary o£ the Sounds Committee of Advice forwards the following for publication:.— . The Canterbury Commissioner of the National Efficiency Board, in a communication addressed to '.Committees., of Advice throughout hi 3 district, draws attention to the fact that the time has arrived when the people of the Dominion must carefully consider the claims of returned soldiers to seeuia adequate means of subsistence. These men, who left their country, to fight its battles, have, on their return, undoubted claims upon, every section of the* community in assisting to provide work, and, where necessary, instruction in what, may bey to them, a new occupation.. Many will he incapacitated for hard work,, and. quite unable to undertake Giut-dbar employment, while others-:,, nor doubt, will desire out-door occupations, and of these it is hoped! that, many will take up farming. The Commissioner therefore appeals to Ctonamittees of Advice to move amongst tho farmers in their districts and ask them to render this important national service by finding or making an opening for one or nitolre returned soldiers on their farms, notwithstanding that the returned men may not have had previous experience. Many soldiers no doubt will be most anxious to avail themselves of instruction which farmers would give, in order that they may qualify themselves for taking; up land on their own account with a reasonable prospect of success.. Tiro Sonnds Committee of Advice* have accordingly undertaken t*> make a canvass in their district, and! to furnish the Commissioner of the National Efficiency- Board with tire names and addresses of farmers who are willing and able to render this service to their country, and tbus show that those who have stayed at homo in peace and comfort all the time have a due sense of gratitude to those who have ondured hardships mid risked their lives to free the world from the ruthless grip of Prussian tyranny. In the meantime tho Committee appeals to farmers and their wives to think this matter over earnestly, and although some may be able to offer only temporary ..billets to returned men, even so they -nail be helping to bridge over* that difficult | timo between .military service and j the re-absorption of otir soldiers into» civil life.