WHEN THE SOLDIERS RETURN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2524, 27 July 1915, Page 3

WHEN THE SOLDIERS RETURN

NEAV. WORK FOR TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. ■Mr. W. S. La Trobe, director of the Wellington Technical School, has been thinking over tho problem of what we will liayo to do for our permanently maimed soldiers who return from tho front, and has come to the. conclusion that there is big work ahead of the technical schools of this country in helping to equip inen for classes of employment they will be able eventually to undertake. Mr. La Trobc states that already tho technical education institutions -of Germany and Austria havo taken up tho work, and are devising all sorts of employment for those who, through being incapacitated by wounds, ar.e unfit to tako up arms again or rcsiiino their former employment. It will be ono -of the saddest sights to witness men qualifying for a class of employment they have hitherto had no knowledge of, but it had to come; and be did not see why provision should not bo made for it at once, '•'You • see," said Mr.-La Trobe, "a man may have been a good carpenter, but his injuries may bo such' that lie would not-be such a good.man, and probably would not get work at all if able-bodied _ men were offering. That man, if trained, may, however, make a good shoemaker or .a tailor, or a watch-, maker, but to fit him for such employment lie would require the groundwork at least of a thorough training. That could with a little arrangement be given at the various technical schools (at whose cost he was not prepared to say). ,- "A. number of our troops consisted of young men from law and insurance offices, banks, etc. They may be able to utilise their brains still 'to make a living, even'if maimed,- but it was safo to conclude that a'proportion of tho men who return maimed will have to turn their energies to that form of cniT ployment suitcif to. their changed condition. "New problems will arise out of the war," said Mr. La Trobe, "and this is one that will havo ,to claim attention particularly if the war goes on for another year or. two. It may be that some scheme will be evolved where-such men may be trained partly at the technical 'schools, and partly in the factories and where, such work as they with experience will be able to do is being done,'but it is a responsibility to be shouldered in the near futurs.by 'the powers-'that $el"

A very successful "chain tea," in aid of the- special fund .for procuring; extra medical comforts for the troops, was given by Mrs. Cathie, of, Karori. These teas have been the means of adding considerably to the amount of medical comforts which the league has made its special work to provide.' As.the time for the departure of the next reinforcements is drawing near, members are naturally ; anxious that these soldiers should bo [ as well provided with tlje comforts that mean so much in these days of stress and hardship as it is possible for them to "be.

_ An enjoyable emobe concert was, held in the Hotel Bristol on Saturday uight, when a large and enthusiastic gathering was present, Mr. T. Black presiding. Two important toasts were honoured,-the chairman proposing the toast' of the King, and Mr. H. Kahn proposing the toast "Our Brave Heroes at the Front." of which the Bristol has sent no fewer than fourteen. Songs -were contributed by Messrs. Hawkhead, Percy, Donne, Hal 1 . Durney,' and Furness. The 'main feature was a historical playlet by Mr. Gilbert Emery. Tlio concert: closed,with patriotic songs.

A men's St. John Ambulance First Aid Class, conducted by Dr. Arthur, will start at the Y.M.C.A. on Weduesday evening at 8 o'clock.