DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

Northern Advocate, 14 December 1916, Page 2

DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT,

Mr J, R. Samson, officer-in-charge of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, who is visiting Whangarei, when asked to-day for a statement regarding the work of the De. partment, said that it was established by the Government under the administration of the Hon. Mr Herdman, with the object of assisting discharged soldiers to secure suitable employment, and to obtain for them any information of which they might stand in need. Special committees had been set up in 36 towns to assist the Department in its duties. An officer of the Department boards each trans, port immediately on its arrivel at a Xew Zealand port, and hands to. each. returned soldier a leaflet regarding land settlement, and a card setting out the functions of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, and the address of the officer-iu-charge. At the same time particulars are obtained of the man's occupation and I employment prior to enlistment, the nature of his disability, and his New Zealand address, etc. Shortly before the man is discharged he is again in. terviewed on behalf of the Department, and is handed a leaflet regard, ing matters of employment, training on Government farms, free tuition at technical schools, scheme of free training for clerks and book-keepers, land settlement, etc. The soldier's replies to the interviewing officer are voted in writing, including particulars of the employment the man feels fit for or is desirous of obtaining. On receipt of this report at the head office of the Department an effort ia made to suitably place the man, par. ticulars of whom are sent to the secretary of the committee representing the Department in the town nearest to the soldier's address. Whenever a soldier is thus listed to a committee: for employment, a form is enclosed for completion and return to the heal office, showing what employment has been found for him, and the wages to be paid, etc. The various committees furnish statements to the head office from time to time, and, whenever necessary, reminders are sent by the officer in charge inquiring what has been done in any outstanding cases. A progress return, showing the operations of the Department, is published each week and a copy is sent to each committee showing, inter alia, the number of men who have returned to New Zealand, and how the cases have been dealt with, and also giving a schedule showing the number of men still charged against each committee as yet to be placed.

"Our volunteer committees," said Mr Samson, "have done such splendid work that, of the 6012 men -who have returned to New Zealand the Department has succeeded in disposing,of no less than 5269. The remaining 743 men comprise'a number who are. still convalescing and not yet' discharged by the military authoritres, anfi'also 126 men residing in different parts ot the Dominion for v/aom it may be necessary to find employment." Questioned further Mr Samson said there were about eight men in the No. 3 Group who had not been given employment, but they -evidently did not require work as letters from the Department had not been replied to.