UNEMPLOYED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12464, 4 June 1926, Page 7

UNEMPLOYED SOLDIERS

SCHEME IN OPERATION * CONCERTED ACTION REQUIRED TOO'EARLY TO JUDGE In the annual report presented to the Dominion conference of the R.S.A. yesterday, the question of unemployed soldiers was traversed, and the scheme which was put into operation in February last was dealt with. “It is as yet too early to arrive at any definite conclusions as to whether or not it has been successful,” it says. “So far, however, headquarters can quits definitely say that the notice from the Pensions Department as to alterations in the grants of economic pension have contained more renewals of grants than cancellations. DEFINITE SCHEME WANTED. “If this may he taken as an indication as to the ultimate result of, eay, six months’ working .of tho scheme, your Dominion executive recommends that it be given definite instructions fay the council as to tho lines upon which the matter should then be urged upon the Government. “Tho fact of some £70,000 being expended annually in the form of economic pensions for which the Government obtains no return by way or services is as unpalatable to the recipients of the money as it is to the general taxpayer. Surely if the Government can expend such a sum for 110 return it can expend a further umopnt in an endeavour to provide vacancies or useful work for ’ the permanent employment of the majority of the men concerned. . - “The executive standing sub-com-mittee has recently heard of two avenues for the employment Of disabled soldiers in co-operative efforts, and it intends going thoroughly _into tfic matter at tho first opportunity.”