DISABLED SOLDIERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20870, 9 November 1929, Page 12

DISABLED SOLDIERS.

THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, November 8. Evidence was given before the Economic Pensions Commission by Mr Samson, officer in charge of the Discharged Solfliers’ Information Department. He said that looking back over the various classes for industrial training—farming, bee-keeping, poultry-raising, horticulture, seed-prowing, etc.—there could be no question, he thought, that a subsidised £ wages scheme was-pre-cmincntly the backbone of the success achieved. He was convinced after many disappointments that all jobs on the land- really called for healthy men. Even the lightest job meant incessant labour early and late, and there was no knocking off for an hour or two if one was not feeling well. He found, too, that wherever the men were grouped -together, no matter how kind and sympathetic one might be, it took only one agitator round the fireside to make the whole of a little coramdnity dissatisfied and full of troubles. He was decidedly of the opinion that practically the only training and employment that could at this stage be economically arranged for permanently-disabled soldiers womd be in certain suitable industries under a subsidised wages scheme. He suggested boot and shocmaking. bag and trunk-making, sox and stocking manufacturing, brush making, etc. In his opinion,' if the Government laid down a definite policy the Slate Advances Office should be' able forthwith to start absorbing disabled men iu various industries without any’ setting up of boards or committees tackling the job, with the inspector of factories, secretaries of patriotic societies, returned soldiers’ associations, md the trades union concerned. If a man could work only a few hours a week, a hobby at his home would be the best thing for him. with the economic pension. Mr Dal lard, at present acting as assistant Public Service Commissioner, and Mr Guiness. controller of stores for the railways, also gave evidence.