ASSOCIATION & HOME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2661, 5 January 1916, Page 6

ASSOCIATION & HOME

FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS CAPTAIN SIMSON-S IDEAS Captain Donald Simson, who has been interesting himself in recruiting in New Zealand, has conceived the idea that a Returned Soldiers' Home is needed in Wellington—in Wellington perhaps more than in any other'part New Zealand. Towards that end ho is first forming a Returned Soldiers' Association, and in the course of a chat with a Dominion reporter yesterday, stated that branches had already been established in Invercargill, Duncdin, and Christcliurch. It is his intent-ion to form s\ich an association in Wellington, and a meeting to that end is to be called next week. The affairs of the association will be controlled by a small committee of returned soldiers, and its business generally will bo to look after the interests of men who have returned from the front. Many of the men come back, and after being hero a few days—when tho glamour of their return has worn off, develop real or imaginary- grievances, or find it difficult to imagine why they are being treated in this or that manner. It may bo somo trouble about pay, and it would be tho duty of the committee to go into tlio case, and ascertain exactly the man's position, and tho validity of his claim. Captain Simson makes it vory clear that the association will not be a body to foster grievances, but as citizens these men have certain legitimate claims on the Govern ment as representing the community, and at present many of them may not know precisely how to go about getting a settlement. The committee, being composed of men who have gone through the. mill, will know liow to get to tlie bottom of any case brought under their notice, and will, perhaps, offer suggestions which may lead to improvements in the system of dealing with returned soldiers. As to tlio suggested home • for returned soldiers, Captain Simson states that a splendid "place has been given in Invercargill for the use of returned soldiers. it. is vested in trustees, and is looked after by a caretaker. There the men can meet those with whom they have formed friendships that will never die—friendships formed when men had to prove themselves men. There they can meet, and smoke, and yarn. It would be the common meeting place; there all letters for returned soldiers of the district j could be forwarded. It would, in fact, be a sort of home for them, whilst still in khaki and afterwards. "I, myself, know the feelings ol a returned soldier," added Captain Simson. "He goes out in the morning, and strolls down the street. Meets a friend, who probably has time to shake hands before ho goes to his work. He goes on, and perhaps meets others momentarily, as most people have their business to attend to, and must push on. Tho next day, and the uext, and j next, tho same men will only nod as they pass. The result is that a soldier gets to feeling a bit lonesome. Tho public should remember that as long as a man is in khaki, he is a soldier in the pay of his country. Ho may be soen about the streets every day, but at the same time he is undergoing treatment still or is convalescent. When quito well again, ho is either discharged or goes back to camp to do another little bit. Now, with all this time hanging on his hands, ho feols sort of isolated, and, being human, he seeks companionship for good or ill,, and perhaps a man who has been a good soldier and a good fellow comes 'a mucker.' "This home I am talking about is going to cure that to a great extent. In Dunedin thoy liavo given them a cottage to themselves; m Christohurch they have a largo subdivided room, which' answers well enough, but is not so good as the cottage. In AVellington nothing has been done. They have the Soldiers' Club, in Sydney Street, I know, and it is a very good thing for the men from the camps, but it, hardly meets tho case of the returned soldier, who has other ideas and points of view, and would prefer privacy with bis kind. Only a soldier who has been through the whole business can realise the difference between the man who has been and ho who is going. "What is wanted in Wellington is a house or cottage reasonably near tho centre of tho city, to be saored to the roturned soldier, and perhaps a friend, where thoy can meet and swop yarns during the period between their arrival back and their discharge or- return to active duty. The South has given a good lead, and I believe it only needs mentioning to have something of the sort fixed up for Wellington." After forming the Returned Soldiers' Association in AVellington, Captain Simson intends to visit Napier, Wanganui, and Auckland on the same mission.