NEUROTIC CASES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25054, 18 November 1944, Page 8

NEUROTIC CASES

WOEK FORJX-SOLDIERS CITY COUNCIL'S POSITION A statement that a discussion at the' Auckland District Rehabilitation Committee's meeting on Thursday gave an entirely erroneous impression of the Citv Counoil's attitude to the employment of neurotic ex-servicemen was made by the Mayor, Mr J. A. G. Allum. yesterday. On July 3 last, said Mr Allura, the district rehabilitation ofhcer asked the council to provide therapeutic employment for ex-servicemen under the intermediate .scheme. The object was to provide in co-operation with local bodies juid'other employing authorities, suitable temporary employment for recuperating ex-servicemen as a means of hastening their successful reabsorption into the industrial and social life of the community. Department's Conditions An outline of the rules and procedure for this scheme stated that there were to bo facilities for work under cover during wet weather; that, where avoidable, the men were not to be employed on roading, drainage or street works, but where possible .were to be employed in parks, reserves or vegetable gardens; that the men were not to be employed on essential maintenance work; and that a subsidy of up to 100 per cent of the total weekly labour cost of each man would be payable by the Rehabilitation Board if approved by the local rehabilitation committee and the Director or Rehabilitation. Mr Allum said the council took into consideration the restrictions placed on the type of employment to be provided and resolved to employ the men in the parks department, particularly at the nursery or in and around trie glasshouses', and on such light employment ;\ti the sponging of palms, weeding. pricking out seedlings, sweeping up <>i leaves, and so on. Jt was considered that the Domain would provide the most suitable conditions for the men, us it was centrally situated and had work under cover in the event of wet weather. Question of Oost On August 11 the district rehabilitation officer was advised of this decision and he was asked to get in touch with the superintendent of parks so that final details could be completed. On August 15 the district rehabilitation officer wrote about the council's condition that the department should pay the whole of the wages. After a conference with tlw chairman of the parks committee on August 18, the rehabilitation officer agreed that the department u-ould pay the whole of the subsidy and that the scheme should bo tried out for six months. Although that arrangement was made three months ago, eaid Mr Allum, no men had yet been selected by the Rehabilitation Department to begin the employment. No Maintenance Work Included Mr Allum added that the reported statement by the rehabilitation officer that the council could not superintend the work was incorrect. Also incorrect was the statement of the chairman of the committee, Mr F. Hackott, M.P., that he did not think the people of Auckland would like the City Council to have these men carrying on its maintenance work. It was clear from the department's own conditions and from the council's letter sent to the rehabilitation officer on August 11 that essential maintenance work was definitely to be excluded from the activities of these men.

Mr flackett was also reported to have snid that the council seemed to have the men in mind for drainage works or something of the kind. It was quite apparent, said Mr Allum, that Mr Hackett had not seen the letter of August 11 or a letter sent by the town clerk to the rehabilitation officer on September 6 stating that the council's works committee, which controlled drainage and similar works, had decided that there was no light work under its control on which the men could be employed. The scheme was confined to their employment in the parks department. The Council's Attitude ;"The council is of the unanimous opinion," said Mr Allum, "that every assistance should b« given to returned men to enable them to rehabilitate themselves, and is prepared to prove this in a practical wav. However, erroneous statements matfe by people who should know better do not encourage 'e council or any other employers to give this assistance. If the department is sincere in its desire to place these men in some service as soon as possible, I think it should not delay three months before taking advantage of employment which has been made available for them.

"The council was also approached by the department about the employment of acinic apprentices in its parks and reserves;" Mr Allum concluded. "It agreed to employ up to six of these men and. after negotiations, agreed to subsidise them in accordance with the conditions laid down by the department. Had the department not indicated its willingness to pay the whole of the wages for the men employed under the intermediate scheme, tlie council would have been only too pleased to give further consideration to any suggestions that the department may have desired to make." STOLE FROM CANTEEN (P A.) GISBORNE, Friday Two aircraftmen, Boy William Gibb and William Thomas Cawkill, who were convicted in the Supreme Court of breaking and entering the sergeants' canteen at the Gisborne air station and stealing liquor, cigarettes and money, were admitted to_ 18 months' probation by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers. The men were ordered to make restitution.

NO WAIPU SHOW (0.C.) * WHANGAHEI, Friday The Waipn Agricultural and Pastoral Association decided at its annual meeting not to hold a show this year owing to travel and other restrictions, The financial position of the association, as disclosed by the statement of accounts presented to the meeting, was sound.

NEW TRIAL SOUGHT On behalf of Herbert Howeth Mountain, aged, 29, Mr A. H. Johnstone, K.C., and Mr Leary moved before Mr Justice Callan yesterday to have a case reserved for the opinion of the Court of Appeal. Mountain was convicted last month on a charge of rape at Kaeo. The question proposed for the Court of Appeal was whether the conviction should bo quashed or a ■ new trial ordered on the grounds that the age of accused was not proved, that the summing up was erroneous, and that the verdict was against the weight of evidence. Mr Cleal opposed the motion for the Crown. His Honor said he would take time to consider his decision.