DISABLED SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 8

DISABLED SOLDIERS.

VERY MANY UNEMPLOYED. GOVERNMENT URGED TO ACT [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. Alleged neglect by the Government in finding employment for all partially disabled soldiers was the subject of severe condemnation at a meeting of the Dominion executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association. A report stated that disabled soldiers were becoming more and more prominent in the ranks of the unemployed. Complaint was made as to the assessment of percentage of physical disability for war pensions and it was held that the more seriously disabled men were practically useless so far as employment Six the open market was concerned, .and therefore the Government should be prepared to create employment for such men in the Public Service at the minimum wage. An Auckland delegate stated that in consequence of the treatment received by unemployed disabled men in the Auckland district, a large proportion of them had migrated. Mr. L. S. Graham (Otago) made a strong appeal on behalf of these men. He said their hopeless position was a disgrace to the country, and it was pitiful to see their vain endeavours to live on the meagre pensions they received. It was decided to recommend the Government to make special efforts to employ disabled men in all possible occupapations in the Goverment service, and that where necessary, the Government should undertake the responsibility of training disabled men , for such occupations. ■•• ~*■■:.':•