DISABLED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11454, 26 February 1923, Page 4

DISABLED SOLDIERS

UNEMPLOYMENT PROBLEM

DOMINION R.S.A. EXECUTIVE ON “GOVERNMENT NEGLECT.” IMPORTANT SUGGESTIONS. The Government’s alleged neglect to find employment for all partially disabled soldiers was the subject of severe condemnation at the meeting of the Dominion executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association on Saturday evening. SECRETARY’S REPORT. A report presented by the secretary stated that tho past few months had shown that the disabled ex-soldier was becoming more and more prominent in the ranks of tho unemployed. Recently representatives of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association had waited upon the Government in regard to some 16 local disabled men, and it was nrged that in assessing the percentage of physical disability for war pensions the Government established a percentage of physical ability. This percentage of physical ability in the more seriously disabled man was practically useless as far as employment in the open market was concerned; and, therefore, the Government should be prepared to create employment for such men at the minimum wage of the Public Service. Details of the cases in question were requested by Ministers, and headquarters had accordingly circularised the districts for details of such cases, the problem being of the utmost importance to the whole organisation. SUGGESTIONS OF R.S.A. The argument used before Ministers by the Wellington R.S.A., added the report, was identical with that upon which headquarters last winter moulded the scheme for the employment of disabled men. That scheme divided the disabled men into—(l) Married, with children ; (2) married, with no children; and (3) unmarried; and the basis of income decided upon was, inclusive ot pension:—(a) Married men, £4 per week; (b) single men, £3'per week; always provided that a higher rate bo paid if the employee proved himself worth it, the rate of wage to be fixed by the District Repatriation Boards in conjunction with the Public Service Commissioner. It was submitted that the principle of considering the war pensions, in ordinary cases, was dangerous and absolutely wrong, but in connection with this problem it was contended that the circumstances were extraordinary, because—“(l) In the open market the men cannot obtain work; (2) the Government is requested to create employment when 'reduction’ and 'economy’ are the cries of the public ; and (3) the 100 per cent, incapacitated man receives only £2 per week actual pension. This class of man is receiving a percentage of such amount, and the Government is being asked to employ the percentage of physical fitness which, it states, remains.’’ The Publio Service Commissioner, stated the report, had been approached in connection with this matter, and had done his best to assist in every direction possible; but the same could not be said of all of the other branches of the Government. The absorption of the seriously disabled men by the Government would solve the difficulty if permanency was guaranteed; otherwise the problem' would only be shelved, and would become doubly serious later, when, probably, there was no active or r ganisation to deal with it. The men concerned were principally the manual workers of pre-war days; and, as- the disabilities, which, formed their great handicaps for the rest of tfieir lives, were received in the defence of His Majesty the King, it was not unfair to expect His Majesty’s Government to employ permanently the earning capacity which bad been spared to them. As far as could be ascertained the unemployment of the fit ex-soldier was beooming a smaller problem, although, unfortunately, it, still existed. AUCKLAND MEN MIGRATING.

Mr Cox (Auckland) stated that m consequence of the treatment received by the unemployed disabled men m the Auckland district a large proportion of the disabled men had migrated. In reply to a ciCcular issued just three days before he came down to Wellington, 31 replies haa already been received. Of the men concerned, six had permanent positions, four had casual billets, and 21 were out of work; while at a meeting of these men, where 100 were present, 75 were unemployed. This was a distressing position; and he contended that it was the duty of the executive to make further representations to the Government on the matter. Mr L. S. Graham (Otago) made a strong appeal on behalf of the disabled men. He was sick and tired, he declared, of the hopeless position of these men, and it was a disgrace to the country to see their vain endeavours to live on the meagre pensions they received. “HOPE DEFERRED.” A letter received by the secretary of the Otago RS.A. was read:. “lean assure you,” stated the writer, “that there are quite a number of disabled men here out of employment. At the present time I could guarantee to find you at the very least a dozen seriously disabled men, who, on account of their disability, are not able to find employment. I do, however, very strongly object to raising these men’s hopes every now and again by asking me to give all sorts of particulars, when there la no immediate possibility of a job forthcoming for them. Two or three times the association has opened an unemployment register, with the idea of finding out how many men are out of work. The men come here, put their names down, call back in two or three <iays, aok if there is any work, and keep on calling back until they are disgusted. If we had work to offer tnese men, I can assure you that we could find the men without any trouble.” It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Graham, seconded by Mr Smith, that the question of the employment of disabled men had aroused, and would continue to arouse, considerable attention owing to the great necessities of these men; that the association, therefore, 6trongly re corn Trended the Government to make special efforts to employ disabled men in all possible occupations in the Government service; and that, where necessary, the Government should immediately undertake the responsibility of training disabled men for such occupations. The executive directed the sub-committee to press the foregoing recommendations constantly upon the Government and the State departments.