MAKING ROOM FOR SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17167, 22 May 1919, Page 6

MAKING ROOM FOR SOLDIERS.

The decision of the Defence Deg partraent to give preference of em- . ployment to returned soldiers is i belated, but, in the Auckland district ■ at least, tho new policy is being carried into effect promptly and with j a cordial appreciation of the returned l soldier's claims. The necessity for . such measures is shown by the fact i that 150 discharged but unemployed soldiers applied for the 60 positions vacated by the demobilisation of men who have no record of active service. The majority, if not all of those who are being discharged by the Department, were presumably engaged for tho duration of (he war oniy, but in any case they 'are not likely to complain at their replacement by men who have been grievously injured in the country's defence. Provision has thus been made for 40 per cent, of | the number of soldiers at present seeking the means of livelihood in Auckland and 00 others still seek an opportunity to prove their fitness for civilian service. It seems superfluous to commend the example of the Defence Department to other Government departments, but apparently they arc waiting for the inspiration of some plain-spoken official to remind them that they too have a duty to the returned soldier. ■ Every Department of State finds a ready excuse for its shortcomings in , the plea of depletion of staffs, but ' how many of them have seriously , endeavoured to provide employment i for returned soldiers other than ( those ' who enlisted while in the , Public Service? General Russell | told the people of Wellington a few < days ago that the returning soldiers 1 do not want charity, but a real help- 1 ing hand, and the kind of sympathy which underlies the confidence at defence Headquarters that the sol- 1 dier-members of its staff will prove efficient. Until public departments generally adopt this attitude, every idle soldier will be a reproach to 1 their indifference.