THE RETURNED SOLDIER PROBLEM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 42

THE RETURNED SOLDIER PROBLEM.

GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE ANXIOUS TO ASSIST SOLDIERS. WELLINGTON, September 3. A deputation from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association waited on the Prime Minister, Sir J. G. Ward, Sir James Allen, and the Hon. A. L. Herdman today to place before them matters affecting the interests of men who have served at the front and have returned to the dominion. The deputation was introduced by Captain Pitt, who urged that the question of settling returned soldiers on the land must be taken in hand straight away, otherwise the position would be serious. He emphasised the fact that the deputation represented the whole of the returned soldiers of New Zealand. The members of the deputation advocated the appointment of a Minister to deal only with the affairs of returned soldiers, the establishment of a scheme of repatriation, additional representation on the Pensions Board, an increased grant for settling soldiers on the land, the establishment of a central committee to administer patriotic funds, an increased clothing allowance, and the establishment in different centres of branches of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department. Complaint was made also that the men who had not seen the tiring line were appointed to positions in England instead of the men who had seen active service. Men who had enlisted two years' after the war commenced were being promoted over the heads of men who had joined the forces when the war commenced. The Prime Minister, in replying, stated that the Government was anxious, as far as possible, to redress the grievances of returned soldiers. Parliament and the people wanted to do. everything they could to assist the Returned Soldiers' Association. As to a department of " repatriation " that had been mentioned, the department of which Mr Herdman was in charge had been particularly successful in finding employment for returned soldiers, and if it was necessary to extend the department's functions he thought tho Government would be prepared to meet the proposal. The fact that four Ministers of the Crown were there to meet tho deputation showed that the Government was anxious to do what it could for the returned soldiers. As to soldiers and settlement on the land, an Act to provide financial assistance was to be brought down this session, but the Government could not promise that the £750 grant would apply in t-very case. Mr Massey suggested that the Government should be able to place returned soldiers in homes on the same terms as were now in operation in connection with workers' homes. Blocks of land could be purchased, and he believed it could be made a success.

Sir Joseph Ward said he, along with the other members of the Government, was anxious to do all that was possible for the returned soldiers.

Sir James Allen, speaking on the subject of repatriation, said he believed the problem changed from day to day, and he thought it would be. wise for the executive to have a private discussion with the Ministers. A great deal of educative work was being done in England in regard to returned soldiers, and it was quite possible that many of our men would come back with very valuable experience. How that experience had yet to be developed remained to be considered. He would be glad if possible to have a medical man on the Pensions Board who would represent returned soldiers. _ As to the supply of mufti for returned soldiers, he pointed out that the Government returned a soldier's mufti to his home on going into camp, clothed him while in camp and on*service, and then gave him 30s for a mufti suit on discharge, besides leaving him a very considerable part of his equipment. Men on furlough would, generally speaking, retain their seniority with regard to promotions. Sir James Allen said the proportion of commissions to men who had returned had been considerably increased. Territorial officers had been warned that they must go through a course of training, and some of them might have to go to the ranks. There was a large number of men in the officers' training camps in England, but he did not think itjwould be a good thing for the New Zealand noncomnnesioned officer to be shut out of the possibilities of a commission. It was not quite right to shut the door on the man who had not been to the front. The Hon. A. L. Herdman said that the Discharged Soldiers' Department was fairly complete throughout New Zealand. The work done was remarkable, but he suggested that branches might work in with the Discharged Soldiers' Association. In regard to repatriation, he said the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department had "been fairly successful in getting employment for men, and only about 160 were now seeking work. Much of the work, however, was of a temporary character, and he urged that discharged soldiers should seek to learn a trade which would make them practically independent. Facilities to that end were provided at technical colleges, and some 50 or 60 men were now engaged in that way. and were being paid £1 per week while undergoing training. He was in favour of making use of existing institutions rather than spending a big sum

of money on establishing huge technical institutions at one central point.