LEST WE FORGET.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 523, 13 October 1915, Page 3

LEST WE FORGET.

OUR DISABLED HEROES. WHAT SHALL WE DO FOR THEM? Specially written for THE SUN. In a cowshed, in the back district of Taihape, there died a few years ago an old man, friendless, alone. His belongings were put in a box and forwarded to the local Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Preparatory to committing them to

the flames, the- officer investigated the contents of the box. With the well-Worn rags that had covered the old man's body was found a Balaclava medal. Inquiries were inade. That old man was a Balaclava hero. New Zealand has to take care that a similar fate of friendlessncss, neglect, arid isolation does not await the heroes of to-day, those who survive the dreadful ordeal of the Gallipoli" Peninsula! Mow can ,this be done? It is anticipated that by June next New Zealand will have sent forward 50,000 riien. It is expected 1 , further, according to information imparted by the Imperial authorities to the New Zealand Minister of Defence, that the number of permanently disabled and partially disabled men for whom,-provision"-must be made is 12 per -cent, in a force of 50,000 this gives .6000 men so broken 'by the ravages of war ( as to be unable to resume their former occupations* ' '.. ■ )

-ft is impossible as yet to make an accurate estimate of the industrial composition of the Expeditionary •'forces, but a member-of Parliament has estimated as follows:—Professional men 3 per cent," commercial

men 12 per cent., transport workers . 7 per cent., labourers and artisans 52 per cent;, miners 3 per cent., ( farm .labourers and farmers 18 per cent.,' indefinite 5 per cent. As this esti-r

mate was got out for political purposes, it inay not be entirely accurate, but it will serve to give an approximate idea of the numbers of the , various V classes of broken soldiers who will eventually be requiring as- . sistance. Applying these percentages to the 6000 disabled men we get the following result:— Percent. Professional men 3 ' 180 Commercial men .. 12 ' 720 * Transport workers 7 420 labourers & artisans -52 - J? 120 ~V Miners ~.;.. li 180 Farmers and farm . labourers 18 1080 Indefinite .. .. .". T> UOO Pursuing the calculation on the basis here given, it can be estimated that the number of men returning -to New Zealand with affected eyesight, in some cases blindness, will be in , the vicinity of 500;, with amputated '° anjus or legs, 800; partially, amputated hands, 400 to 450; injuries to arms and legs not" necessitating amputation, about 1100; from various diseases, some 2000. There is much guesswork, of course, in these figures, but they wjll'serve their purpose if they help us to gain some idea of the problem confronting us. It is true that the .men will have their pensions, up to 35/- per week in case of total disablement, but such pension is not sufficient to do more than provide for a man's necessities. Even if it were, it is not good for any man to be left without employment. The problem, in short, is to find employment for these broken men: employment that will occupy their minds and bodies; employment that will keep them useful citizens, and provide them with an income. ' Can it be done?

It is clear that the subject is surrounded with difficulty, and up to the present no concrete ideas have , been put forward that offer a reasonable solution; In Great Britain and France a little has been attempted in the way of teaching these men new trades, such as weaving, toy-making, basket-making, and, in a few xases, boot-making. But so far only the fringe of the problem has been touched, even in those countries.

; . In;Australia,the Federal Government committed the question to the f caW of :Mr J. C. Watsoh; ex-Federal fPrinie Minister, who has recommendthat a letter should be addressed former employer of every man Jwho has enlisted, asking whether lie iwould be willing to 1 re-employ the man in his opposition, or, if he is disabled, in some, lighter capacity. Another suggestion made by Mr Watson is that all holders of more than a specific of land should be asked Co state what area they would be

filling to give or sell/ for the pur- ' pose of providing returned soldiers with land on which to earn their living. The reason for this latter proposal, says Mr Watson, is because fell the good-quality Crown lands of Australia .Have been alienated.

f : InjNtfw; Zealand a Discharged Sol:diers\lriformijtibri Department of the v,Government has already been eslablished, under the control of the Hon. A. L. Herdman. This department ' isCommunicating with all public and semi-public bodies throughout the ..■"Dominion, urging that employers should give preference of employmeni to returned soldiers, and arrangements are being made for special service from the Labour Department in carrying out this work. The possibility of placing the ihien on the land is also being considered, but that there are tiifliculties

In the way is indicated in the circular Issued by the department, which asks the assistance and advice of the Agricultural Department, in the solution of these problems, '! One idea that suggests itself as a ineans of employing maimed soldiers is the basket and wickerwork industry. This is a trade at which the blind can be taught to become very expert, and is probably the principal industry taught in. institutions, for,the blind in the old world. .'..; Tliere are special circumstances.

too, in connection with this industry in' New Zealand that make it an unique field for cultivation in this respect. There is a good deal of rattan, wicker, and basket work purchased in New Zealand, but the local industry has been almost extinguished through the heavy importations of goods.,) The suggestion here made is that in view of its peculiar suitability as a field of ..employment for blind, partiallyblind, or maimed soldiers, the Government should treat the industry as a kind of preserve for them. It might put on a prohibitive tariff-. j that would have the effect of excludI ing importations, and thus secure the I market for the products of the soldiers' labour. The Government could enter into the industry, or even make it a State monopoly. Considering the 'very worthy object in view it is improbable that serious objection would be raised by anyone against the adoption of this course. Owing to the state of the industry at present, it is unlikely that a very large amount of capital would be required to purchase the existing plant, if that course was thought desirable. Teachers would be required, and, perhaps, for this purpose some of those now engaged in the industry might be utilised.; On the other hand it might be necessary to import special teachers for the blind. It is probable that at first, owing to inexperience and physical disability, the cost of production would be heavy, involving either high prices to the public or loss to the Govern - ment, but with experience the men would become more expert, when it would be possible to reduce the price. A very considerable number of soldiers might be provided with employment by the adoption of this] I plan."' -' t ' '■' ' j Mr Herdman's new department is to be commended for the step it has taken in enlisting the help and sympathy of the various institutions engaged in giving technical education with a view to arranging'for free technical instruction for disabled I soldiers who are willing to learn j hew and suitable trades. But care must be taken not tg include in the schedule trades already overcrowded, such as the order tailoring trade. Another field of employment that should be ; reserved for the disabled soldier is that covering' such light work as attendance on lifts or elevatorSj such y duties as those, of watchmen, caretakers, messengers, doorkeepers, ushers, etc. There 1 are lnany young .and strong men at present engaged, in these occupations who might legitimately be expected to transfer their < labour tx> some other field of activity. It would be their part in the national sacrifice entailed by war. ' Despite the fact that the nation will probably have to find at least £1,000,000 a year for war pensions, there can be no doubt that the National Government will have the full support of the people in anything it may do to realise its own ideal of making certairi'"thaf every man who jias suffered through serving , his country will live for the rest Of his days in comfort."