Rehabilitation of Returning Soldiers

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 209, 3 September 1941, Page 10

Rehabilitation of Returning Soldiers

SPEEDING-UP POLICY DESIRED FARMERS’ UNION DISCUSSION A strong plea was made by 3lr. W. Chadwick, of Whetukura, at the monthly meeting of the Southern Hawke’s! Bay provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, for the speeding-up of the Government’s policy m connection with the rehabilitation of soldiers returning from the present war. The war, he said, had Deen in progress two years, and really nothing nad Deen done. The Farmers' Union should get behind the Returned Soldiers’ Association with a view to seeing that something was done soon. They should cater not omy for the soldier desiring to go upon the land, DUt the labourer, the pusiuess man, the farmer, and the nursing sisters. Bo far as men going upon the land were concerned, tney wanted to see tnat the mistakes m the last, war were not repeated. It was time something was done to formulate a policy —the soldiers were making sacrifices and something should be done for them upon their return. Nothing had apparently been done—they were simply sitting still. The provincial secretary (Mr. H. S. M. (Quigley) said this matter had Deen considered at tne Dominion conference recently, when the following resolutions were carried: (I) “That tne Farmers’ Union offers its services as a consultative body to assist the Government in formulating a policy lor the establishment of returned soldiers upon the land; (2) that the Farmers’ Union set up a committee iu reasonably sized localities to operate with the N./.R.S.A. for the purpose of watching tno interests ot those men returning from the war who desire to take up larming, Wuch committee to act not only iu an advisory capacity, but also to give active help to cna-'ble tnem to become sound financial j farmers, and that a central committee be set up in Wellington to consider and act on reeonimenda/lions from provincial committees.’’ 3ir. (Quigley added that a Rehabilitation Committee had been estaolished in Dannevirke and was more or less carrying out the work desired by Mr. Chadwick. The Farmers’ Union had been asked to co-operate with the R.S.A. and the Rehabilitation Committee. 3lr. Chadwick agreed that they should work through proper channels. iMr. H. Stratford said the Rehabilitation Committee was functioning in Dannevirke aud was doing good work. Mr. Chadwick: The men arc coming back—aud will continue to come back in large numbers—aud we have been sitting down and really doing nothing. Wo want to reach the Government and ascertain their policy regarding the treatment of returned soldiers. ‘3lr. R. F. Gregg said the Government had already declared a policy. 3lr‘. Chadwick considered that a great deal more could be done to meet the position which must arise on the return of men from overseas. He moved the following motion:— “That this provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union agrees with the decision of the Dominion executive that everything possible should be done to help in tlie establishment of returned soldiers on the land, and agrees to confer with the N.Z.R.S.A. on the matter, but the considered opinion of this provincial executive is that matters are not moving quickly enough, because already many soldiers have come back. This executive requests that the Government outline a definite policy immediately not only regarding the settlement of soldiers upon the land, but what it is going to do for all other men of the fighting forces, including the nursing sisters, iu order that all members of the fighting forces

should know definitely what is going io be done to rehabilitate them in civil life to their advantage and as they justly deserve; also, this executive is of opinion that in order to bring this about ns quickly as possible the Farmers’ Union representatives in each district confer with the Rehabilitation Committees and the R.S.A., so that a decided stand can bo taken to avoid any further delay.” 3lr. G. Cammock, who seconded the

motion, said it was ltigli time the Government declared their policy. Mr. R. O. Leacli suggested that a scheme for financing farmers' sons upon the land could be done througli the dairy companies. The money should not bo loaned, but given to them. The young men should not be saddled with, mortgages. Ho outlined other directions in which farmers could assist men individually.