HELP FOR DISCHARGED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2621, 17 November 1915, Page 4

HELP FOR DISCHARGED SOLDIERS

The announcement by the Hon. A. L. Herdiian yesterday regarding the efforts that are being made under his direction _in the'interests of discharged soldiers was timely. Complaints have reached us concerning discharged soldiers who have met v/ith difficulty in finding suitable employment on their return to civilian ranks, and it is well that it should be widely known that the Government is actively building up an organisation designed to assist such cases. It is clear from the Minister's recital of the progress already made that he ; has bestirred himself with marked success. His scheme provides that every soldier who returils from tho fighting lines shall immediately on arrival in tho Dominion be got into touch with and made aware of the fact that the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department is at his service and ready to assist h'im to find suitable employment. The stops so far taken by tho Department to provide for cases of maimed soldiers need not be recapitulated here; but we would emphasise the importance of this particular branch of the work. Tho care of able-bodied men, capablo of/ taking up their old tasks, is one very largely for tho public. It should be regarded as the simple duty of every employer of labour to give first chance for any vacancy he may have on his staff to a returned soldier capable of doing the work required. Employers should make it a practice when filling a vacancy to communicate with the Department and ascertain whether a suitable man can be obtained through it, before seeking to fill the position through the ordinary channels. _ Tho Department can be greatly assisted in this way, but what is more important, some recognition can thus be made of our appreciation of the services rendered Dy, and our obligation to, the men who went out to fight our battles and risked_ their lives in defence of the liberties and privileges we enjoy. It will take time to get the organisation of the Department working smoothly and efficiently, but it is plain that the Minister is approaching the task in hand with a thoroughness that promises success, and in a spirit of full sympathy with the men whose interest has become his care.