EX-SOLDIERS’ INQUIRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 18

EX-SOLDIERS’ INQUIRY

UNDER RATE FACTORY WORK ADVOCATED DUNEDIN SITTING ENDS Press Association DUNEDIN - , Friday. After sitting for six days, the Disabled Ex-soldiers’ Commission concluded the hearing of evidence at Dunedin today, and will leave for Wellinfiton, where the evidence of Government departmental officers will be heard. The Auckland sitting will begin on November 12. When it is concluded the commission will travel to Christchurch, after which it will return to Wellington for the hearing ‘of further evidence. In the intervals between the sittings the commission will visit various institutions and make general inquiries. The evidence hearck In Dunedin was very long, and several important suggestions were made for the employment of disabled men. The most prominent suggestions were for the establishment of factories in the towns, for the manufacture of goods which would not compete with lines at present being manufactured in the Dominion, and for farm colonies, in which the various types of farming would be combined, as well as seed farming. Mr. R. B. Tennent, field superintendent of the Agricultural Department, in giving evidence today, stated definitely, however, that considerable losses could be expected if the men were established in any kind of farming work. He added that the only feasible solution of the problem, in his opinion, was to have the men absorbed in the secondary industries as under-rate workc.s, the Government granting a subsidy which would bring the men’s earnings up to the standing living wage.

This suggestion is one of which almost every witness has expressed himself in favour, and the commission intends to obtain the views upon it held by officials of the labour organisations in Wellington. It is apparent that the commission is giving very serious consideration to the possibility of establishing a board in Wellington, with local boards in each centre, whose task would be the control of all matters connected with disabled men, including the finding of suitable employment.