5

H.— 30

secure, asking them to add this further duty to their already onerous labours. I also wrote to the various bodies consisting more particularly of employers and other persons closely connected with business and industry, such as the Chambers of Commerce, Farmers' Union, &c, soliciting their individual and corporate assistance. The replies I received were of the most gratifying description; but I should like to take the opportunity of emphasizing to those whose sympathy is assured, as well as to those who have not yet perhaps realized the urgency of the problem which confronts us, that it is only by the whole-souled co-operation of all who are able to assist that the country's duty can be discharged to the men who have sacrificed so much for the Empire and all that it stands for. We are at present only at the beginning of our task. Of the men who have been placed a considerable proportion have been taken into Government and municipal employ, but these avenues can only provide for a small proportion of the men offering. I would therefore very earnestly appeal to all those who have the opportunity of offering employment to bear in mind the claims of the returned soldiers. Particulars regarding any vacancies available, including the wages offered and a brief statement of the duties, will be most gratefully received by the Officer in Charge of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, and every endeavour will be made to find suitable men to fill the positions. I feel I ought not to close this memorandum without sounding a note of warning to men and to employers alike. It seems to be assumed by returned soldiers that the Government is able to find employment for all the soldiers who seek it. I think that it is just as well that the men should clearly understand that, anxious as the Government is to assist to the utmost, it cannot find billets for all. The capacity of the Public Service Commissioner to provide occupation for returned soldiers is limited. He gives preference to returned soldiers when considering applications for a position, and he is actively exerting himself to find employment for soldier applicants; but he cannot make positions, and he cannot of course dismiss public servants for the purpose of creating vacancies for returned soldiers. The State is prepared to lead the way in the matter of finding employment for the men. but it cannot do all, and the work which it is undertaking through the agency of this Department will be of little value unless it is earnestly and strongly supported by the private employers throughout, the community. In conclusion J wish to express my appreciation of the valuable assistance which Mr. W. B. Hudson, Deputy Commissioner of the Government Life Insurance Department, has cordially and voluntarily given to me. Assisted by Mr. Samson, the official head of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, and by a capable and. enthusiastic staff, Mr. Hudson undertook to build up an organization for which there was no guide, and he has, in my opinion, succeeded in making the Department what the Government desired it to be —a substantial help to the returned soldier in need of advice and assistance, and an efficient instrument for bringing him into direct relationship with the employer who may be in a position to find, him suitable occupation. The appendices hereto show in tabular form the total number of men on the Department's register, and general information as to the position of the various groups at the date of this memorandum. A. L. Herdman, Minister in Charge of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department.