WORK FOR EX-SOLDIERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 840, 7 December 1929, Page 7

WORK FOR EX-SOLDIERS

GEN. RUSSELL ADDRESSES COMMISSION REVIEW OF WORLD EFFORTS Press Association WELLINGTON. Toda> . The Soldiers* Rehabilitation Com mission sat in Wellington yesterdaj . Sir Andrew Russell. Dominion president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, gave evidence in which he dealt with the many problems involved, expressing his views of the methods of relief and assistance adopted In various countries, and offering some suggestions that might assist In solving the difficulties here. Sir Andrew said the cases might l*e divided into three classes —(1> Those incapacitated by physical disablement due to wounds and thereby prevented from following their pre-war occupa tions. but of good mental and moral stability and with their physical constitution unimpaired; (2) those suffering disablement due to exposure, gassing. nervous strain. T. 8.. reuras.he nics. and certain classes of woundv. not always of good mental and moral stability, and with their physical con stitution impaired; (.3) those suffering from incapacity due to premature ageing and general lowered efficiency mental and moral stability often low with loss of initiative, power of resist ance and continuous effort, physical constitution commonly impaired “To meet their needs we have at present the economic pension and a preference somewhat difficult to exer else,” said Sir Andrew. “Of the above classes, as a rule only those in class one are fit subjects for employment in the public service, by firms and by private persons, and even so vocational training for the particular work available may be necessary. An appeal to the sympathy of private persons or firms, through such a medium as the Ring’s Roll of Honour, will not in Nov' Zealand, any more than it has done in England, solve the difficulty. COMPULSION UNSUCCESSFUL “Compulsory employment of a ticfinite percentage of the disabled men. according to the number of employees, has been put into operation in Gcrrrfany, but with little measure of success, and is reported to be more distasteful to the disabled employee than to the employer. Such a system would appear inapplicable to this country. An occasional case may be found in class two fit for general work, where the employer understands the subject’s disability' and is ready to make duo allowance for an impaired physique. More frequent cases may probably bo found in class three, but only where work of a very light nature is offered.

“Xevertheless. every endeavour should be made to find occupation for as m.fiy as possible, if only to lessen the numbers to be dealt with otherwise. By ‘otherwise* it is intended to convey either —(1) the establishment of such men on small holdings or in some private enterprise; (2) the establishment of these men in what may' be termed village settlements: (3) boarding out with friends or preferably relatives may in some* cases be applicable to class three.’* Mr. E. Riddle, officer-in-chargo of the reparations branch of the State Advances Office, suggested the follow - ing:—(1) Revive the “subsidised wages’’ scheme* for the training and employment of disabled soldiers in factories. workshops, farms and other pursuits; (2) revive. if necessary, authority’ to enable an unemployable economic pensioner to acquire or build a homo under the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Ac:; (3) appoint a chief vocational after-care officer in Wellington and four district officers at Auckland, Wellington. Christchurch and Dunedin: (4) set up honorary committees where necessary to advise and assist the district vocational officer in all matters pertaining _o the rehabilitation of the disabled soldier and economic pens oner. The commission adjourned til* Monday*.