INDIGNANT SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 8

INDIGNANT SOLDIERS.

EMPLOYMENT QUESTION. CBITICXSM OF GOVERNMENT. REMARKS OF CHIEF JUSTICE. [BT TELEGRAPH.— COBBESTONDENT.] HAMILTON, Friday. The attitude of the Government towards returned soldiers was the subject of considerable discussion at the annual meeting of tbe Waikato Returned Soldiers' Association to-night. A member said the Government exploited returned men to a greater extent than private employers, and did not open up sufficient avenues of employment. He said the Government always had plenty of nawying work to offer and asked what was the good of that to men partially incapacitated from war service. He also.said that returned men were required to pass a medical test before entering the Civil Service, while on the other hand the Government still retained men who had failed to pass the medical test for active service. Another speaker cited the case of an eriginedriver with 15 years' service who, on being unable to take up his old position' on his return, was offered 8s 6d a day as a laburer. Indignation was shown regarding the recent remark of the Chief Justice to the effect that the rum ration had started men on the downward path. Mr. J. Cooper said every returned man regarded the remarks as a s)ur, and he moved that Sir Robert be severely censured for hi* remarks. A seconder was promptly on his feet amid cheers.

An officer rose and said he thought the public did not realise what the ram ration meant to the soldier. He had made a careful calculation, and was sure 97 per <»nt. of the men d-tank rum because it was essential.

Mr Ching, the secretary, said that thi Huntly branch of the association had passed a resolution resenting the remarks of the Chief Justice. He suggested passing a similar resolution instead of a vote 0! censure.

The suggestion was adopted, and the resolution was carried with, loud cheers.