WORK FOR SOLDIERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1674, 26 June 1919, Page 6

WORK FOR SOLDIERS.

EMPLOYERS TAKEN TO TASK.

REPATRIATION BOARD NOT APPROACHED. Although the Canterbury Repatriation Board has been engaged in its operations for many months now, apparently some employers who desire men are still in ignorance of the fact that one of its duties is to find work for soldiers. This fact was mentioned by Mr C. H. Hewlett at the board's meeting last evening, and instances were given of this ignorance, the Lytteltou Borough Council being quoted as a case in

point. Mr Hewlett said that there was a falling-off in the number of applications by employers for men. He had placed the matter before the Employers' Association, which was sending out a circular to 250 firms, pointing out the position. Mr Hewlett added that a great number of fit men were now await •jug employment. The question was to be. considered by the Employment Committee of the board, which would endeavour to find whether the attitude of employers was duo to any particular reason. In one instance the Lytteltou Borough Council had advertised for six men. The Repatriation Officer had approached one of its officers, asking why the Repatriation Board had been ignored, and this man had replied that he did not know that the board provided men for employment. Mr W. E. Lead ley asked why relief work was not given to the men. He had sent along a destitute man that day to the Employment Officer, who could not give him any work. Could not the local authority have engaged men temporarily in snow-sweeping?

Mr P. W. Hobbs said that where local bodies required certain work done, he believed that the Repatriation Board had power to undertake the work and charge the cost to the, Repatriation Fund. The next two months were the worst for obtaining employment, ami the board should undertake relief work, lie suggested that its powers in this respect should be definitely ascertained. Mr K. ./. Howard-said that a good proportion of workers were unemployed this week, but this was owing to climatic, conditions. As to such work as shovelling snow, God forbid that in New Zealand they should have to put their returned men to such work. As Ito the local body mentioned, he had heard its Mayor in Wellington declare that, his borough was going to set an example in the employment of returned men. By K°'"g outside the Repatriation Board this local body had broken a moral law. Ignorance was no excuse. Bo suggested that the Mayor of the Borough Council concerned should be written to in the matter. The board had not yet reached the stage when it should undertake relief works. Climatic conditions were largely responsible for the present position. It would be better to pay the men sustenance. (Hear, hear.) Mr Lead ley explained that in the case mentioned by him of the man who could not be provided with temporary employment and who was destitute, sustenance could not bo allowed as the man had been discharged more than VI months.

Mr Hewlett quoted a number of advertisements published in the newspapers asking for men. The linns advertising apparently did not know a Repatriation Department existed.

Mr 10. .). Howard moved that the Mayor of Lyttelton should be written to pointing out the. position, and a circular sent to all local bodies.

This was seconded by Mr C. H Hewlett and carried.