REPATRIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 7

REPATRIATION.

INTERVIEW WITH MB W. DOWNIE STEWART, M.P.

SOME INTERESTING POINTS RAISED.

A few days ago a telegram from Wellington was published in the Otago Daily Times to the effect that no progress was being made with the repatriation scheme owing to the absence from Wellington of two of tho Ministers comprising the Repatriation Board. A Daily Times representative directed the attention of Mr W. Downie Stewart, M.P., to this telegram m a conversation with him on the subject of tho repatriation of our soldiers. * Mr Stewart remarked that the difficulty which had arisen in the working of the Boaard of Repatriation was one that was anticipated in the House, and pointed out again" and again. It was of vital importance to the scheme that there should be one Minister on whom the responsibility for the proper administration of the scheme should rest. He had looked into the question very closely when the Repatriation Bill came before the House, and there was ample evidence from other countries which pointed to the necessity for the appointment of a single Minister. In France a board of repatriation had been tried, and it proved a failure. In Australia there was one Minister in charge of the repatriation department. In Canada two Ministers had charge of this important work, but Canada had a vastly larger problem to deal with than we have. Apart from the question of divided responsibility, repatriation was a large enough subject to require the undivided attention of one Minister. When the Government brought down its proposal for setting up a board of four Ministers, he gave notice at once of his intention to try and substitute one Minister for four,' for the reasons already stated. His proposal was generally supported by all parties, and it was with some surprise that he found at the last minute that a large number of members voted in opposition to_ the views they had expressed on the subject in the House. Reading between the. lines, it was perfectly clear that party influences were at work, and this was greatly to be deplored because the interests of the returned soldiers should be entirely above any party considerations. He felt certain that the board would not last long, and, in view of the difficulties which had already arisen in the attempt to administer the Repatriation Department under a board, he would not be surprised if the proper proposal to have only one Minister, who would be solely responsible, were adopted next session. " The Repatriation Act," said Mr Stewart, "contemplates the setting up of local committees in each district, these to be representative of various interests. According to the Minister of Defence, the Government had in view the setting up of rather elaborate committees representing many of the different agencies that have been at work during the war, such as tho Y.M.C.A., the Patriotic Associations, Red Cross, etc. If this idea is adhered to, my own opinion 33 that these committees will prove too cumbersome. In Australia I understand the committees in the centres consist of two employers, one returned soldier, and one representative of "the labour unions. It is, of course, essential that the labour unions should be represented because of the very complicated questions which arise with the under-rate workers' permits, etc. Whatever the exact constitution of the committees may jbe the general principle I would emphasise is that they should be small numerically." In all the repatriation schemes which he had examined, said Mr Stewart, the Repatriation Committees did not take up the question until the soldier was discharged. He thought, however, there was room for a good deal of work being done before this stage was reached. Under the present regulations a soldier could not be discharged so long as he is under treatment. Many of these men who were under treatment would be greatly helped in their recovery if their future employment had already been discussed with them and if they had sonift assurance as to what would happen to them when they were discharged from hospital. In going round the wards at Rotorua he had met numbers of soldiers who were very depressed through uncertainty as to their future, and the mental tonic which resulted from this uncertainty being removed would be an enormous aid to their recovery. He quoted as an example the case of a soldier who waa suffering from an open wound. This soldier had spoken to him very gloomily as to his prospects of employment after his discharge from hospital. Acting on the suggestion of the doctor attending this man Mr Stewart said he had got an Auckland citizen to interview him, who, after examining his credentials, undertook to secure for him a position as good as that held by him before the war, immediately he was fit to leave the hospital. A week later the doctor reported that the man's wound had completely healed, and he attributed this almost entirely to tho fact that the man was no longer worried over the prospects of the . future. The _ Auckland business man was so interested in the result that he undertook to arrange that every month one or two business men from the northern city would visit the hospital in Rotorua and confer with the men there as to their future employment, so as to put their minds at case while they were under treatment. Such cases as the one he had mentioned would not be dealt with by the repatriation authorities if they adhered strictly to the letter of the Act. 'Another point that has impressed itself upon me," said Mr Steward, "is that no official committee or director of repatriation could properly cover the ground, and therefore there is a grave responsibility or. each citizen to interest himself personally in the welfare of each returned man. For example, in the country districts whero a soldier has taken up land and is somewhat isolated, it is impossible to exaggerate the benefit which he derives if his neighbours ride over on a Sunday and help him with advice and make him feel that they are interested in hini and his future. It is essential to keep in mind that men who have been through the mental strain of months and years of work in tho war zone, even though they have not been wounded, and are not suffering from shell-shock, have been subjected to a long series of minor shocks which have left their effect. They may appear to be quite well, but thoir health is not normal and they cannot bo judged by tho ordinary standards.

"Tho most severe criticism that can be levelled against the Now Zealand repatriation scheme is," Mr Stewart said, " in respect to the long delay that has occurred through tho Government not providing the necessary machinery. As an illustration of what I mean it is necessary to point out that after four years of war wo are only now building vocational workshops in Rotorua. This means that for 'he lost year or two hundreds of men in Rotorua and elsewhere who have been receiving perhaps half an hour's treatment per day have, except for a little optional basketmaking, had the rest of the day idle. Everyone is agreed that nothing is more demoralising for a soldier than to find himself without occupation for weeks and months on end. He has left the discipline of the army, and he rapidly loses his habits of industry and application. There are many thousands of men who could have been materially helped in their recovery of health and in their future employment had proper workshops been established in the centres of treatment soon after invalided men began to come back. All medical authorities are agreed that a man's time of recovery can be reduced by many months if he is usefully employed during such times as he is not under actual treatment. It was very noticeable in Rotorua that the men became tired of perpetual picnics and dances which the generous inhabitants arranged for them. The Board of Repatriation and subsidiary officials coming under a responsible Minister ought to see that the repatriation scheme is administered with the utmost efficiency and singleness of purpose, otherwise the Government will find itself faced with a large body of discontented men who under a proper system would soon settle down to civilian life."