DISABLED SOLDIERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 260, 1 November 1929, Page 4

DISABLED SOLDIERS

PROBLEM OF EMPLOYMENT [ Per Press Association ] DUNEDIN. Oct. 31. A statement on behalf of the Manufacturers’ Association was put before the Commission on Disabled Soldiers today. It was stated that the Association considered that the present position was due to industrial depression and to the tov early closing down of the Repatriation Department and no organised effort by the civil population, backed by the Government, io absorb partially fit men. The Associa ion thought that a proportion might be industrially absorbed if the repatriation scheme wcro re-opened and amendments made to the Arbitration Act for permitting disabled ex-servicemen to be employed as under-rate workers, such rate being brought to the award wage by an economic pension. Men could also be absorbed as telephone attendants, mail tally clerks, messengers, janitors, etc. As an incentive to employers, a scheme similar to the King’s roll scheme in Britain was suggested; also, influential local committees could do much to find niches for tho men. The Mayor (Mr Jeffrey) mentioned that in England many factories employed ex-servicemen on piece work. They were working just as long as they felt fit. Mr Love, representing tho manufacturers, considered that tho men wanted more sympathetic treatment. In the case of a man periodically off it would Ibe better to give him a smaller all round wage and pay him for the time he was laid up. “Too Many Brass Hats.” Mr H. J. Farrant. who gave evidence on behalf of the Southland War Funds Association and the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association, said that there were 174 men in Southland who came within the scope of the Commission’s reference. Most were more or less unemployed and seriously handicapped in the open labour market. The amount of military pension paid to a partially disabled man whose desirability was scheduled at less than 50 per cent did not compensate him for the loss of earning opportunity, though it might be sufficient to meet his loss of earning power if an earning opportunity could be provided for these men. Their wages plus pensions would in most cases suffice for their ordinary needs. He’ was of the opinion that 9.> per cent of disabled mon would respond, to any means of help that might be extended to them. Dr. Lyth, director of the tuberculosis institute, under the Hospital Board, said that ill-health and lost initiative made it unlikely that mere training in new occupations would lead to success. The organisation of a sheltered industry providing work of a character that did not involve strain was much more promising. Such work would improve the disabled man in body and mental outlook. Sympathy and tact were necessary in handling the problem. The mere official was worse than useless. The soldier had seen too many brass hats.

Mr H. F. Titchener. formerly vocational officer in the Repatriation Department, said that the Government would require to assist any project that was put forward to help men, and unless a scheme had the practical support and sympathy of the employing public no success would meet its efforts. He’ advocated the resuscitation of the whole or part of the machinery of the Repatriation Department and a Control Board in Wellington with local boards in the cities and the establishment of a farm colony. _