Freedom Of Choke For Relumed Soldiers

Northern Advocate, 24 July 1943, Page 2

Freedom Of Choke For Relumed Soldiers

Dissatisfaction with the methods of approaching returned servicemen in connection with rehabilitation was expressed by the Northland Zone A Committee of the Patriotic Council yesterday. Bringing the matter forward. Mr H T. Atkinson said it was time they sat up and took notice of rehabilitation which, in iiis opinion, was being approached wholly from the wrong angle. “Those responsible do not understand the mentality of men who have been overseas for three years.” he said. “These men should be given the best, and every one of them must have the opportunity to take up that work which they favoured. They must not be hampered by any restrictions imposed by legislation or regulations seeking to protect certain industries. They must have the right of entry into any sphere they desire. “It is a crying shame there is no land scheme for returned soldiers and it is time patriotic organisations took this matter up. Some local bodies in New Zealand are creating for returned men a nation of navvies. It is a d shame.” Unions Barred The chairman (Mr W. Jones): We have our rehabilitation commit lee in Whangnrei and (hey do not appear satisfied with the position. Mr .T. A. S. Mac Kay said the local committee was having a conference with the Member cn Saturday night. It war. hard to see how creating a nation of labourers could be avoided if the various trades unions could nor admit returned men to their trades on (he ground of being unskilled. We heard a lot about productive value in regard to the land, but the productive value of the land today might be completely altered next year. Productive .value was only a term used in Parliament . Mr J. W. Parkin considered there should be a committee in every county throughout the North. Mr Atkinson moved: “That this corn mirtee expresses its dissatisfaction with Ihe method of approach to returned men. and is of opinion that more stress should be laid cn the personal needs of the men with a view to their being allowed to select their own vocal ion. Further, Hint their rehabilitation be dealt with more promptly." Seconding, Mr Parkin said many men from lasi war became mentally lost owing to the delay in placing them. Mr E. G. Airkin stressed, the need of those who left New Zealand without any fixed occupation. The resolution was carried unanimously.