Reabsorption Problem.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 35, 8 May 1917, Page 8

Reabsorption Problem.

EIGHTS OF RETURNED SOLDIERS. Writing on the above subject in the first issue of “The Defender,” Mr J. I. Fox (manager of the Returned Soldiers’ Club, and himself a returned soldier) deals with the problem of men in uncertain health. “I do not believe,” ho says, “that by discharging those men and simply by giving a pension we are doing the right thing. Wo may think that by getting rid of them wc arc solving the problem, but to my mind it is a falla’cy, and ought to be remedied. Experience has proved to me that a good many of those discharged men break down again, and onlv the future will tell uhat is going to become of them if other steps are not taken. . . . The question, naturally, will be asked: What ought, to bo done, then! No doubt the problem is hard, but it can be solved. Those who are in constant touch with returned men ought to be given an opportunity to express their views on this most important subject. NEED OF SPECIAL FARMS. “I have in view the establishment of four farms in various districts, the land to be of good quality and of easy access to a market. In each establishment four different kinds of farming would bo carried on—dairying, pigs, poultry, and root crops. The men who would go there would have to be in n reasonable state of health. They would be under medical supervision, inspected once a week, and be under strict discipline. The staff would be voluntary, except the manager, and composed of capable returned soldiers who were farmers before they went away. HEALTHY, OUTDOOR LIFE. “These institutions would serve a double purpose. . . . First, instead of idling away their time and getting worse instead of better, the men would occupy their time in healthy, outddoor life, and gradually get back to normal healthy conditions. In such an institution men would be able to choose farming according to their various tastes, which they could not get at an ordinary farm. Secondly, the supervisor would be able to judge whether a certain man who is applying for land is adapted for farming. After all, the whole of the returned soldiers’ problem is to encourage men to work which will be in the interests of carrying out the primary industries of the country. These institutions would serve as a clearing-house for settling a good many men’s future lives. After the war is over, most of tho men will prefer outdoor life, but others will find it hard to resume their former occupations; and, finally, the dislocation of employment through women having taken men’s places will create an unprecedented problem. Now is the time to make a start whilst a comparatively few men are returning. By experiments wc can test the soundness of tho scheme. Personally, I believe that this venture could be almost self-sup-porting. FACILITATING SETTLEMENT.

“This scheme, properly established, could lead to something which might be useful for the time when the demobilisation of our troops will have to take place. The Government might see fit to use such an institution or institutions as the basis of future activity. ‘ ‘ Suppose that this venture turns out to be successful, and many men show signs of adaptability for farming, take blocks of land, and use the labour that will be available for improving sections for those who arc eventually to bo its occupiers. “Instead of putting men on land without any improvements, and advancing money to the aspiriing farmers, the Government could spend part of that money for fencing sections and t putting up small cottages. Then the soldier-settler could go straight on to a place where ho could be properly housed, and start work straightaway, without having to worry about preliminary operations.”