REPATRATION PROBLEM

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12568, 4 March 1919, Page 5

REPATRATION PROBLEM

CLERICAL EMPLOYMENT. As an employer of almost 300 clerks, a large number of whom aro girls, the views of the Director of Base Records regarding repatriation problems were sought by a “Star” representative this morning. Major Norton Francis C.M.G., served for a time in Samoa, after which he was appointed Director of Base Records in Wellington, a position which be has held up to the present time. Ma jor Francis will shortly retire from his appointment, and is at present in Christchurch. He stated that the work of Base Records had increased considerably during the last fonr months, as was evidenced by the fact that whereas last year 8000 files wore dealt with daily, this number had now increased to 12,000. The policy of the: Department had been lo employ, wherever possible, returned soldiers who were fit for clerical employment. Regarding those Christchurch soldiers who were, at present seeking clerical positions and whose names are on the unemployed list of the Repatriation Department, Major Francis stated that there plight shortly he positions for them in the Defence Department in Wellington. In the meantime, if any of these soldiers were willing to take np work in Wellington, they might make to him at Rase Records. where their cases would receive every consideration. ITe did not advise soldiers, however, to take nn any of these positions, as, at the out-side,’ the jobs would not last more than two years. He urged soldiers to seek employment whore there was a good prospect of permanency, and also, if possible. at their own trades. Speaking of the Defence Department’s noliev of giving preference to returned soldiers when vacancies occurred. Major Francis stated that the monetary value of the prospective clerk wns_ not taken into consideration when a. girl or a soldier wm-e candidates for the same position. He did not. when making a selection, enmnare a girl at 30s a 1,- eek with n soldier at military pnv. The matter of efficiency was the main consideration. Tn conclusion, Mainr Francis stated that it. was a matter for the Minister of Defence to decide whether girls in the Dennrt.ment should h n relrasfvT order tn give place to returned soldiers.