FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9568, 26 January 1917, Page 6

FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE HONORARY ORGANISER'S REPORT. Twelve months hare elapsed since the old soldiers of this .Dominion founded the New Zealand National Service League. The establishment of the league waa the result of wishes expressed by many of those enlisting for the front. The main objects sought to bo attained by the league were to make every provision possible for the future welfare of our returned soldiers in civil life, the care and education of war- orphans, and the fostering of a spirit of encouragement throughout this Dominion to purchase goods of British manufacture. Complying with your request to tour New Zealand and advocate the objects of the league, I am pleased to report that every opportunity has been given me by Education Boards, military authorities and boy scout officers to deliver addresses to the coming generations on the objects of the league. 1 have had the pleasure of addressing over 150,000 of tha young people of this Dominion, whom you wore rightly of opinion would carry our message homo to their parents. I cannot too strongly emphasise the fact as to the sacrifices made by the children in assisting eveiy patriotic object, Under the willing guidance of their teachers they have accomplished marvellous results, showing a truly British spirit in their efforts. You requested me to obtain all the best suggestions relative to the welfare of our brave men on their return to civil life. This I have done, and those requiring immediate attention have been forwarded to the proper authorities, all of which, I am pleasedrto state, have been adopted. The hardest time of a soldier’s life is in regaining his former position in civil fife- It is amazing how many people consider that a returned soldier should accept any work offered to nun, uo matter how menial or uncongenial the nature of the work may bo, instead of offering him the best position ho is callable of holding. The Discharged Soldiers’ Department have, and are doing, splendid work in helping the men back into civil life, and deserve the loval support of every employer. The' kind offer of the Technical School authorities to teach trades to those men who are incapacitated from following their former occupation, has not been taken advantage of to the extent we all would desire. The offer, nevertheless, is very highly appreciated. A special word of praise is one to the experts of the Agricultural Department for the time and instruction they have given to returned soldiers who have taken up land. Your requests to obtain suggestions m reference to the celebration of Anzac Day 1 reported on separately. I desire to place before you the following suggestions, which I have taken from the many made to me as to the best way in which help may be given to those returned soldiers in civil We: Suggestion No. I.—That some organised attempt should be made to obtain help in the home, arid especially on the farms, where the owners or their sons ate at the front, by ing labour in the busy season. The National Reserve might help with this suggestion. , 2. —That those who cannot go to the front help in eveiy way returned soldiers in civil life, by assisting, them to obtain the best positions they are capable of holding, teaching trades and industries to disabled men. Public education as to the necessity and justice of supporting returned soldiers who have restarted in business or professions. on their return to civil life. 3. —That a training home be established by the Government to teach disabled soldiers crafts, arts, trades and industries, knowledge of which, together with their pensions, would enable theni to live in comfort. The said training home, at a later date, if not required for the above purpose, to be utilised .a -S an institution for soldiers totally incapacitated. 4. —That the public refrain from giving hard cash to strangers who state they are returned soldiers. It breeds impostors, the worst enemy of the true soldiers; and also refrain froin asking soldiers of their experience at the front—'many desire to forget. 5. —That the Government give preference to returned soldiers in workmen’s homes,and advances to settlers. 6. —Land settlement: That small holdings suitable for market gardens and' orchards, near large markets, bo taken up by patriotic societies and the Government for partially disabled soldiers. That portions of large improved estates be compulsorily leased by the owners for a long term in suitable sections to returned soldiers at a prewar rental. 7. —That a ladies’ committee be formed in every town to keep in touch with every war widow and orphans in their districts, with the object of making any necessary provision for the immediate welfare of the women and the future education of the children. The said' committee might also be requested to encourage the purchase of goods made within the Empire. 8. That an active campaign he started throughout the Dominion to educate and urge the public to pmchase goods made in New Zealand or within the Empire, thus ensuring full employments for all and prosperity after the war in onr Dominion, and throughout the Empire. 9. —That all goods manufactured within the Empire be labelled “British made.” The above suggestions have been made chiefly by veterans, men in the camps, returned soldiers and frontiersmen, and I feel sure no better token of our gratitude can be shown to the men now acting so bravely in defending our Empire than helping them in civil life on their return. I regret I cannot offer you my services for a further period without salary, but if SCO persons, societies or schools will guarantee £1 ner year for two years—and this I think they trill readily do—l shall be pleased to carry your message into every part of New Zealand. Then it will never be said again that—- " When war is on and danger nigh, rinj and the soldier is the neople’s cry. When war is over, and the wrong is righted. God is forgotten and the soldier slighted.