CIVIC LEAGUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24849, 22 March 1944, Page 7

CIVIC LEAGUE

! REHABILITATION WORK MR. D. V. BRYANT'S PROPOSAL (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday A proposal to found a civilian organisation called the Rehabilitation Civic League, with headquarters in Wellington, to assist the Government in the rehabilitation of ex-servicemen, and particularly with regard to land settlement, has been put forward by Mr. I). V. Bryant, of Hamilton. Mr. Bryant, whose object is to raise £IOO,OOO to administer the scheme, has issued a circular to 1000 prominent men in New Zealand with a view to enlisting their co-operation and financial support to the scheme. One oiler ol £2OOO a year for at least two years has been received. In his statement Mr. Bryant describes the present position relating to rehabilitation as unsatisfactory, the principal trouble being due to the apathy of the public. The procedure adopted in cases already dealt with was described as cumbersome and entailed undue delay, loss of money, and frequently despair on the part of those seeking assistance. Mr. Bryant contends that a great improvement could be effected if the Government and returned services associations had a live public organisation bent upon securing individual public interest. Three cases were quoted as being characteristic of the classes to be dealt with: —(1) The returned farmer who had difficulty in securing the land he wanted at a price that would be approved by the authorities: (2) the man who had been maimed and required special employment; (3) the shell-shocked neurotic for whom treatment and work were required. It had been made evident, said Mr. Bryant, that sufficient help was not available under existing conditions, and

the only remedy lay in closer co-opera-tion between the citizens and J®" 3 "' 11 " tation authorities. He contended that it was the duty of citizens to see that promises made on their behalf by the Government were kept and that the fulfilment of these promises should not bo left entirely to the Government. Ihe proposed league should endeavour to organise civic effort to the maximum and should co-operate with all exist ing rehabilitation organisations to the utmost.

In his circular Mr. Bryant enumerated the following planks: tempt to obtain from individual farmers and business men specific and active help for servicemen under "losteriiome" conditions; (2) the provision of a bureau at which returned men could •seek help in their business and domestic difficulties in co-operation with existing organisations; (.'5) the provision of holiday facilities for the wives and children of servicemen; (4) exchange of inhumation with Government departments; (n) the establishment of greater confidence among servicemen where their interests were concerned.

Among the initial steps proposed to he taken are:—(l). To establish headquarters in Wellington, with office and staff, and branch offices in other towns; (2) to establish contact with all members of the armed forces and advise them of tlie league and its objects; (3) to arrange hospitality committees to give help to the wives of servicemen; (4) to establish liaison between trained and partly-trained men and citizens prepared to help them. Membership in the proposed league would be free to all servicemen. C ivilians would be expected to pay a subscription. Donations would be sought from civilians.