DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16821, 29 May 1919, Page 9

DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

AVHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE. (Per Press Association;. WELLINGTON, May 28. Reference to the question of repatriation was made by the Hon. ''W : : f 'D. S Mac Donald; last night at a dinner to the delegates of the Wellington Farmers' Provincial Union. "So far as giving the returned soldier his due," he said, "we; know it is absolutely impossible to asses'sTiii money the sacrifices the soldiers 1 of -tliis country made. We do not mean that we are doing all that the soldier is entitled to perhaps, but we are!, doing all that "the; country can possibly-, do for him. You can only go as far as mean's will allow. S'ome gentlemen who gathered together in one of the southern cities were talking a good deal about what ought to be'done, but they never said anything abdut what: had been done. Every member of the Repatriation Board was trying to do his best for the returned men. The Minister of Lands was in a very difficult position, because, he had not the right class of laud for the soldier in the right position at. the right prioe. To put a soldier on land with success was no easy thing to do, and they did not want to put soldiers on land where they might not he a. success."

STATE EMPLOYMENT. MENT. : GHRJSTCRTJRCH. May 28; Replying to statements regarding tluj employment of returned soldiers in the Defence Department, Sir James Allien said it! had been the. poi.icy. of the Department' t 0 give preference to capable and suitable returned soldiers of a.U ranks -when filling positions in the Department, and a per.od.ical purging had been made in resrrct of men not returned soldiers. The'-e had been no- alteration recently in the policy. The re. cent _ fipe."ding up in, this matter of purging was due to a. number of fit; men arriving in the "Dominion, and thei grealter number of staff coirDs and permanent staff positions bEconvnn; available. He added: General Richardson has not yet: assumed his duties as officer in.jCharge of administration.