RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 7

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

QUESTION OF EMPLOYMENT,

POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH. Tho fact that tho officers ot the Christchurch branch of tho Returned Soldiers' Association have lists containing the names of oror thirty returned soldiers who are .seeking employment, was brought under the notice of Mr A. W. Jamieson, who took a prominent part in connexion with the formation of the Canterbury Repatriation League, two or three months ago. One of the main objects of the League was to artist in finding suitablo work for return- » od soldiers. '*■ *: Mr Jamieson said that pending the setting up of tho local Repatriation Board, under the Government'., scheme, •tho League had not started active operations. It seemed likely that many of the representatives of the bodies comprising the League •would bo appointed members of tlie Repatriation Board, and, consequently, the necessity for the League would not be so great as it was at the time it was established. At present he was in communication with the Government on the subject of the setting up of tho Repatriation Board with as fittle delay as possible. Mr JamioF.on was strongly of opinion that no time should bo ]rr,t in putting forth every possible effort to find suitable work for the returned soldiers who arc unemployed at present. EFFICIENCY BOARD'S ACTIVITIES.

, The lists above referred to wero forwarded to the Canterbury Commissioner on tho National Efficiency Board, and the reporter made enquiries as to what action had been _ taken. Tho Commissioner, Mr J. A. Frosticlc. is _ at present absent in Wellington attending a meeting of tho Board, but the secretary, Mr' Frank Cooper. plaped the file of correspondence on the at tho reporter's disposal, and explained that on December 23rd. la?t year, following upon a telenhone communication from Mr W. K T.eadloy, the secretary of the Jtoturned Soldiers' Association, he (Mr Cooper) Teceivod from Mr Leadloy a list- of returned desirous oi obtaining omploymont. Mr Cooper. wlio -was on the evo nf leaving for tho Christmils and Now Year holidays, drafted a lotter for the Commissioner to the chairmen of the City Committers of Advico, ■which was sent out on December 30t.h the intervening dajvs being holidays, and Mr Cooper having been informed that tho committoes could not "be got together during the holidays. _ Following is a copy of tho letter which was addressed to Mr W. M. Tyers. chairman. Committee of Advice. Professions and Commerco; Mr C'. H. _ Hewlett, chairman. Committee of Advice, General Trading and Distribution Section, and to Mr A. W. -Jamieson, chairman, Council of Industries:— "At the present time there are in Hanmer and Christchnrch awaiting •work and ready and anxious to obtain sanie as speedily as possible roturned soldiers, as-follows: Five clerks, two travellers, one each builder's clerk, gardener, watchman, motor driver, commercial storeman, storeman or col-

lector, motor mechanic (learner), canvasser or picture theatre porter, cook, and one requiring light outside work. I. would be very pleased of the National Efficiency Board organisation could place these men in sound (i.e., permanent) positions, and any letters to sub-committeos on the matter will be typed and posted by this office upon instruction by you." A list of tho names and addresses of the returned soldiers' requiring employment it was attached. The New Year holidays" supervened, and it was not till a week or so. later that business men resumed their ordinary routine. On the 9tli inst., Mr Hewlett, the chairman of the Committee of Advice chiefly concerned as representing the trades and callings of the unemployed returned soldiers, wrote as follows. to Mr Cooper: "I am in receipt of your letter of the 80th ult., regarding returned soldiers awaiting work, and should be ■ glad if you could type and post a circular, as per enclosed copy, to the chairman of my sub-committees ns per list enclosed. Would you also please attach a list of the unemployed soldiers." The circular for the chairmen of subcommittees was worded as follows:— "To chairmen, Suh-Committees of Advice, General Trading and Distributing Section. Employment for R«turned Soldiers: I have received from the Efficiency Commissioner a list (as per enclosed copy) of returned soldiers

anxious to obtain work. The Commissioner would be very pleased if tlie National Efficiency Board organisation could place these men in sound posi- ' tions. I would bo glad, therefore, if each sub-committee would trjj and place any man on the attached list coming within its branch." > Circulars and lists for the 33 subcommittees were typed and wefe ready to be sent out last Tuesday, but were ■ held backj as Mr Leadlev nad informed Mr Cooper that lie was sending a further list- -which contained 16 names (the first list contained 18). Consequently the circulars and lists to the sub-committees have just been sent out. The employment wanted by those in the second list was as follows: One each stonemason, hardwaro salesman, farm manager (or married couple ott farm), clerical (or stock clerk), _ driver of bread cart, light outside workj ledger-keeper (a second ledgerkeeper was open to take work as a traveller), groom, storeman, grocer's assistant traveller for motor accessories, traveller for electrical articles, lawyer's clerk, motor-driver, and cook. Messrs Tyefs And Jamieson did not ask the Efficiency Board's assistance V in the matter of sending out circulars to sub-committees, as there were comparatively few returned soldiers seeking the olass of employment covered \ by their sub-committees: what circulars NWere required were sent out direct ■y them.