RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2520, 22 July 1915, Page 2

RETURNED SOLDIERS

PREFERENCE TO,WORK 'AND LAND. Mr. Parr, M.P. (Eden), has asked the Prime Minister whether lie will consider the advisability of giving preference in all future Government vacancies for carotakers, messengers, and watchmen to returned 'wounded soldiers who may have been incapacitated for hard work. In 'his reply yesterday Mr. Massey said that this matter was dealt with in the minuto by the Public Servico Commissioners of May 10 last; as follows: "(1) Returned soldiers of good record, and whose history before they left for tho war is known' to he good, to bo given special consideration (provided they are suitable) for appointment in tho General Division, or for temporary clerical employment if such is available. (2) Special consideration to bo given to the employment of relatives of soldiers killed or disabled during tho war, provided the Commissioners are satisfied that a reasonable necessity for this exists."

In answer to the suggestion that some preference should bo given to returned soldiers in any future scheme of land settlement Mr. Massey said that tho matter had already received the consideration of'the Government, and the following circular to Commissioners of Crown Lands had been issued: "Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, .Jitfie 4, 1915.—'T0 all Commissioners of Crown Lands—Land for Roturnod Soldiers: It is the intention of the Government to set aside blocks of land for selection by members _of tho Expeditionary Forces 011 their return to the Dominion, and in order to expedite such proposal I have to ask you to be good enough to report as to what lands in your district are suitable for the purpose. Please forward a schedule of tlio lands, and give a few particulars as to locality, accesg,. quality, suitability, and approximate price per _ acre of each block; also forward a lithograph showing position of same. It has been, suggested that a certain area of lanaa suitable for fruit-growing should be set apart as the fruit industry might be particularly suitable to returned soldiers, and you will therefore please pay special attention to any lands in your district suitable for fruitgrowing, and send a separate report thereon. —(Signed)' James Mackenzie, 'Under-Secretary."