SOLDIERS' PROBLEMS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 85, 31 July 1942, Page 5

SOLDIERS' PROBLEMS

OVERSEAS ADVICE

SERVICE OF THE R.S.A,

The following appeared in the form of a leading article in the N.Z.E.F. Times of June 15 a paper published in Egypt for the benefit of the N.Z. Division in the- Eighth Army:— If any soldier—or sailor, or airman, or nurse—Avants a confidential serA'i-ce carried out in New Zealand, address a letter to :

"The General Secretary, N.Z. Returned -Services Association, Wellington, Ncav Zealand.,"

Some men are troubled about financial arrangements, some have domestic problems, others are Avorricd about their farm management. The N.Z.R.S.A. has an appropriate

committee of ex-servicemen in every locality in Ncav Zealand, ready to give a sympathetic ear and to render a helping hand.

When this war is over—and it wil be over some day—many problems will arise for soldiers who have been serving overseas. Some people imagine that after the war Ave shall all go back to a pre-war world, and (it into our old accustomed places — that avc shall all go back to our old jobs and carry on. But many of us will not Avant to carrj r on as before. Most New Zealanders leave for service overseas Avhen comparatively young men. While they are avcrseas their varied experiences give them another a"icav of life.

The young man who previously worked on a farm, when he gets back home from service, often wants a job in town. The young man who lias been a clerk or draper's assist-* ant develops a love for the free open spaces, and he "wants to go on a farm. Some of us may be more

rugged when we return to New Zealand than when we want away.. But in the natural course of things some ol' us will be sick and wounded, and not so lit to earn our living.

It will not be a world of plenty alter the war. Years of shooting and smashing and burning make a world poorer, not richer. After every major Avar there are great problems of reconstruction. We of tliis war are fortunate that there is an experienced organisation to safeguard t,he interests of all exservice people. It is encouraging to learn that our men returning from this war are joining the R.S.A. Union in strength. The experience of the

older men combined 'with the enthusiasm of the younger membership will help to ensure a fair deal foir us when we all return.