REHABILITATION SCHEMES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17241, 24 April 1930, Page 6

REHABILITATION SCHEMES

SUGGESTION FROM P.B. CLASSIFICATION AND TRAINING When the Rehabilitation Commission was sitting a few months ago the headquarters of the N.Z.R.S.A. suggested that in view of Hie success achieved by the Gisborne association, in the relief of distress caused by war effects among ex-servicemen and their dependents, there should be something of value to be placed before the commission for its consideration. The result of this suggestion is reviewed in a paragraph of the Gisborne association's annual report dealing with the commission, the text of the paragraph being as under:—, "The outstanding event during the year has been the setting up of the Soldiers' Rehabilitation Commission, for which the efforts of the New Zealand association have been responsible. The report of. this commission has been before the Government since February 10, but its 'findings have hot been disclosed. It is apparent that if the findings jue to be carried into effect the New Zealand association will require to exert the utmost pressure upon the Government of the day, and that the task of obtaining the commission is the easiest part of the undertaking. The greater the strength of the association the better is the prospect of useful results being accomplished and the need of increased Dominion membership will be apparent. Every veteran can thus assist by joining local associations, and present members are asked to endeavor to increase our membership. "Your president was invited to give evidence before the commission in Wellington, and the following extract is taken from the R.S.A. Review, of February, in that connection: ■'Lieut.Col. R. F. Gambrill, president of Gisborne R.S.A., presented helpful evidence as to the work accomplished by that branch, particularly in connection with the problem of unemployment. He stated that the best solution for a district such as that surrounding Gisborne appeared to be: — (1) The provision of means of testing Die abilities of the various men seeking asistance under firm but sympathetic control and supervision; (2) the classification of such men according to their earning powers; (3) the institution of a system of subsidisation of wages to those men unable to give adequate return for a full day's pay; (4) the training in some suitable occupation of those men whom it will be found are quite unemployable iri the ordinary way, even on a basis of subsidised wages. lie also alluded to the problem of the Maori ex-soldier and the difficulties of dealing with their claims for treatment and pensions.' " ,