THE DISCHARGED SOLDIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16973, 5 October 1918, Page 8

THE DISCHARGED SOLDIER.

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT'S ' ATTITUDE. V d The recdnt statement of jj'«? P. ,An ' drews, 'secretary to tho Auckland branch of tho Returned Soldiers' Association, that tho Railway Department refused to -employ returned men unlew they passed a severe medical is contradicted by the Minister for Railway, th<> Hon, W. H. Hen-ies. ' i, t ,' ■ •' In a letter to Mr. A. Harris, M.P., the Minister..statesi~" All members of the railwayvsemco granted leavo to join the reinforcements are, on discharge from the force?, as a predaution, medically Examined to 4ej#ipa-wlutlior they aVo physicdlly capable of taking up their former position in the service... On the other hand, if, through • disablement, they are not fit to follow.-' their tormeir .avocatipUs, Suitable 'work; is found for ; -thehi/- : -So far, ? eveiy returned soldier who has reported for duty bw beeji allowed to resume if medically, fit to do so. . You Will readily recognise that ih® ; Department-, must/satisfy'iitself that all members on ' taking up railway duty again are physically fit. fop the" work required of them< - Those, for - instance, whose sight is impaired, Cannot bo allowed to ; take . part •; inthe : . running 'of trains,' where'their 'disability, is" Jilcoly ! result- in foments to | the ■ travelling . public \or to themselves, ; ■ The . medical. officer's report Is ..necessary to enable: the Department to determine duties members : are IphVfiic-' ally dfc to undertake." ' ' * 1