MEN OF MONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 21

MEN OF MONS

TRAGEDY OF UNEMPLOYMENT There are still 450 .Mons Star men searching London for work. Most o them have not known since the war ended what it is like to, have a permanent positloSometimes they find casual work, such as carrying heavy sandwich boards tor 2s fid a day, out of which at the end of the week they have to pay Is 7d tor Health Insurance stamps. . . Mr W. T. Goodman, chairman of the London area of the Old Contemptiblee Association, which seeks to put the men in touch with prospective employers and to relieve cases of distress, said in an interview: " In 1933 we were lucky enough to find work for 22 men. That was a spurt for which we were deeply thankful. -But since then practically nothing has been offered. . "Here is one which shows the spirit all the men have. I gave an Old Contemptible five shillings. With the money he bought a screwdriver, hammer, nails, screws, and lengths ef sackcloth. «He is 49, has a wife and two children, and was a soldier for 15 years. He knocks at people’s doors, asking it they have odd jobs that want attention, today he is still managing to keep his head above water. “ Recently there came an otter ot a month’s work for three navvies. Three men came forward, though they had never done a navvy’s work in their lives. A navvy must always bring a shovel and a pick to his job—his own property, the men had none. I borrowed some, and they set off happily. “A man who served in tne south African war, and went out to France in 1914 from the Reserve at the age ot 44, was offered the job of scrubbing floors at 15s a week. He went to the labour exchange for advice, and was told, xou must give up your dole.’ “ I told him there was nothing for it but to refuse the offer, remain on the dole, and wait a few weeks for his tuxtyfifth birthday, when he would start to receive the old-age pension. "He left me, went to the labour exchange, told them that he was taking the job, and remarked: ‘Now I have got the chance to work again I do not want Goodman added: .“While the majority, perhaps, are suited for Jut and commissionaire jjoste, hundreds have special qualifications.”