HELPING INJURED SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3342, 3 April 1918, Page 46

HELPING INJURED SOLDIERS

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. PROPOSALS OF THE GOVERNMENT. Tho Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. M«ssoy), in a letter to Mr 11. M. Birrell, oi the Gisborne Citizens' Defence Comseta forth at length the proposals of the Government with respect to the training and employment of partiallydisabled soldiers. Tho Prime Minister says: — . ' Tho question of tho industrial training of partially-disabled soldiers in privatelyowned workshops, factories, etc., has recently received the Government's most serious consideration, and the scheme which has been approved provided that applicants who fulfil tho necessary conditions will receive substantial Government assistance during their period of training. Particulars of the scheme were set out in the Order-in-Councii of the 3rd of December, and _in asking your kind co-operation in this important work I desire to take the opportunity of stressing the following points:— (1) The scheme is for tho benefit of partially-disabled men who are unable to follow their old occupations. It is intended to help those who have suffered serious impairment of capacity as tho result of wounds or disease contracted in military service, to become once more useful members of society, with material and moral" advantage to themselves and tho community to which 'they belong. (2) As the question involves the whole future career and welfare of the soldiers concerned, all possible care will require to be taken to see that a wise selection is made as regards the industry chosen and the conditions under which the training is to be given. It is not a question of securing immediate employment for the soldier, nor of promptly supplying labour to the employer where a shortage exists. The problem is to re-equip those who have suffered injuries in the service of their country with the means of again earning their livelihood under conditions conducive to self-respect and independence. In determining, therefore, _on any application, the sole object to be kept in view is the soldier's ultimate welfare, and the question to be decided will be: Is the industry selected within the soldier's powers, and is there a good prospect of his attaining a reasonable degree of proficiency therein?" The Prime Minister then states in detail the course of procedure to be adopted, and concludes as follows: — " The provisions of # the Order-in-Council relate only to industries subject to awards or agreements under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 1908, and the system of permits by the Inspector- of Factories will therefore not apply to industries not subject 'to the Act. The Government, however, will be prepared to subsidise the soldier's earnings in other industries, provided his training is carried on under conditions and with an employer approved by the department. The experience of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department as regards the assistance which you have given to it in the past convinces me that the department may equally rely on your valuable co-ofreration in the important departure which' is now being made, by which it is hoped to restore the industrial .usefulness of men who incurred serious incapacities in the sacrifices they have made for the country's welfare.—Tours faithfully, W. F. Massey. Prime Minister."