FINDING WORK FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19154, 21 August 1930, Page 4

FINDING WORK FOR EX-SOLDIERS.

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD CONSIDERED EFFECTIVE (Special to the “Star.’ ) YV ELLINGTOX, August li'l. The conviction that the provision of work for disabled ex-solders cculd be more effectively dealt with by the Unemployment. Board than by a separate body was expressed by the Prime Minister, the Hon G. W. Forbes, in the House to-night, when replying to the debate on the report of the committee on the Unemployment Bill. Mr Waite fflutha). a member of the committee, discussed the report from the viewpoint of the returned soldiers lie stated that a good deal of evi dence was heard and carefully review ed. The committee decided to adhere to the decision to exclude womer

workers. It would not be advisable to include disabled soldiers. It was fairly unanimous that the returned soldier able to take employment should take liis chance with the rest of the able-bodied \memplo\*ed. It was quite obvious that no provision could be made under this Hill for rest homes and other recommendations of the Rehabilitation Commission, which, it was estimated, would cost a million and a quarter to carry out fully. The Returned Soldiers’ Association wanted another board to work in conjunction with the Employment Board, hut the Government and the committee derided that this would be unworkable. He believed it would be a relief to •:>!l returned soldiers to know that their association was standing: firm in asking for a Bill in regard to disabled soldiers and not to mix them up with the whole general problem of unemployment. Expense Not Justified. The Hon S. G. Smith, Minister of .Labour, said it had not been possible to adopt all the suggestions of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, who had asked that all the recommendations of the Rehabilitation Commission should be incorporated in the Bill. Two boards had been suggested, but the expense of that proposal would not be justifiable under pcesent circumstances for certain reasons. The Government had not been able to put into operation at once all the recommendations of the Rehabilitation Commission, but some of the proposals were adopted, and in addition to that it was felt that if the Unemployment Bill were passed an opportunity might be given under it to put into effect at least some of the suggestions regarding partially and totally disabled ex-soldiers. The Minister said that once the Unemployment Board was established a sub-commit-tee could be appointed in a short time, and with the co-operation of the specialists required in connection with the employment of disabled soldiers a start could be made with the rehabilitation of those men. With the co-operation of members of Parliament and representative men and women throughout New Zealand, and with the guidance of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. a great deal could be done towards helping disabled and partially disabled men. Better Work. “We have to guard against a multiplicity of boards,” said the Prime Minister, “and the question of expense must be considered. Once tne I'nemployment Board is set up it will l>e a simple matter for it to appoint a subcommittee to deal with the disabled ex-soldiers’ branch.” Mr l'orbes .said he felt confident that with that machinery placed behind disabled soldiers far better work could be done than under a separate board. The Unemployment Board could deal with the position far more effectively, and at the same time keep down the