DISABLED SOLDIERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3596, 13 February 1923, Page 51

DISABLED SOLDIERS

ENCOURAGEMENT TO EMPLOYERS. AUCKLAND. February 9. A scheme similar to that in force in the Old Country for the employment and absorption of disabled soldiers was before the R.S.A. last evening, when a special sub-committee reported on pensions matters. The proposal is that the scheme be administered on behalf of the Minister of Labour by a repatriation or local employment committee. It seeks the co-operation of employers to employ disabled men up to a quota of 5 per cent, of the total staffs, with certain exemptions. The Minister of Lahour issues certificates to employers assisting. whose names are then entered on the King’s National Roll. The certificate entitles employers to use a special device upon letter heads, etc. The proposal will entail Government ipplication to his Majesty for a roll subsidiarv to that in force at Home, on which 30,286 employers’ names are inscribed, employing an aggregate of 362.478 disabled exservicemen. The British Government has also decided not to give Government contracts to firms whose names are not on the King’s Roll, ami local authorities are also allocating contracts with that point in view. Following consideration cf the scheme by the local and affiliated associations, their opinions will be transmitted to Wellington, where the adoption of the scheme will be discussed as a dominion matter.