WORK FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16762, 11 June 1920, Page 7

WORK FOR SOLDIERS.

THE GREATEST KINDNESS. GENERAL BIRDWOOD’S SUGGESTION. The British Empire, for the first time in its liistory, had'been engaged in a national war, said General Sir William Birdwood at the Now Zealand Club luncheon in Wellington on Monday, and the war had been fought by civilians in the garb of soldiers. New Zealand s need now was soldiers in tho garb of civilians to undertake the work of development. His appeal to the soldiers was to shake off war apathy, to throw themselves energetically into the work before them, and to discountenance all attempts on the part of anybody to live on the reputation of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force. Ninety-nine and a half per cent, of the men were determined to work. Jho renuiiuiug half per cent, probably had not worked before the war. and tho proper treatment for a man in that group was to take him by the scruff of the neck and make him work. He should not bo allowed to blacken the faces of good soldiers. ■ The General mentioned that he had paid a visit, to Trentham Hospital, whore about 350 injured and maimed men were still receiving treatment. These men were determined to work, and tho community ought to encourage them and help them. The worst thing that could happen to a maimed or partially disabled man was to let his mind go fallow. It might seem bridal to toll A maimed man to get to work, but nobody could do tho men a greater kindness than to assist them to wftrk up to their capacity. Idleness' was tho worst thing that could happen to them. Ho desired, in this connection, to say a word to employers. Every war lc.it a certain number of men suflcring from shell-shock or shaken nerves. Tlie recent war, owing to its severe conditions and the Very extensive use of artillery, had affected the nerves of a verv large lumber of men. These men might work well for a month or longer, and then break down temporarily. Ho would ask employers to be patient and sympathetic. Give the men a doneiii chances or more if necessary. The employer should not turn that man down even if patience wore taxed to the utmost.