DISCHARGED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 7

DISCHARGED SOLDIERS

HELP FROM THE STATE

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES - FOR THEM .

A statement covering the very , useful functions of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department in finding employment' and otherwise helping men who have come back from the war to get back into civilian lifo again was inade by the Minister in charge (the Hon. A, L. Herdman) yesterday. "The Department's. progress return for tho current weeks,'!, said Mr. Herdman, "shows that, the Department Las now on its register 4376 men, who may be divided into three classes:—(a.) Disposed of; (b)• under'action;'. (c)/not ready for action. . Of ,tkeso : . men 2609 have'been interviewed 011 behalf of the Department- at their, homes, and 439 ttthers are now being interviewed:"; (a) The men 'disposed.'of total 2083, as follow:—(a) Left New Zealand or caiiriot ascertain address, pi; (b) reenlisted 'or returned .to" military' duty, or have v.'ork to return to, etc., 1017; (c) men who have signed "assistance not required,', 1 '537; (d) men placed in employment, 400 ; (c) men who have not responded to repeated communications,and men who Lave accepted -work found for them, but failed to start work, 38.(b) There are 1265 cases under action, representing men about . to be, discharged ana tthe-'SM now being 'inter-, viowed. at tlieir homes; cases, in which further inquiries are being made; and include also 266 men not .discharged froih' the-' Employment Wanted Registers of the Department's Committees" in various districts ~as follow-: —Auckland 83, Gisborno 2, Napior 5, Hastings 5, Taranaki 2, Wanganui 4, Taihapo 1, Marton 1, Feilding 3; Palmerston North 3.- Wairarana 7, Nelson 6, Blenheim 2, Obristchurch: 23, Ashburton ly Grey-: mouth 2, South Canterbury 8, ■ Oa-maru 5. Ofcago 47j Southland 7,-;Wfclliiigion 11, miscellaneous 38. ■" The eleven ajh, Ijlicants -for employment 011 the' Wellington register desire --'.positions as - Btbremen' (2), light, work" (4), chauffeur (1), milk inspector (1), gardener (l)j Government employment (2). ■' (c) Cases not ready " for action total 3023, and represent men who recently returned' to. tho -Dominion .but jij'o still convalescing, ■ and aro not vet discharged by the military /authorities.' In commenting upon this return Sir. Herdman .said it would 'give 601110 111- . formation- about the ivork accomplished by the- officers of tlie Department since it-came.into existence-last year. ( ■ "I. would ■ like tho public to. clearly understand;" continued the Minister, "that-we.do not wait for the soldier to come to us. :We got-into touch with . him as soon as he ssts foot in: New Zealand. " Later on we arrange that he shall be'interviewed by a' Government officer for the purpose of finding out, wiiongst other things, whether lie. wants the assistance of the Department to get work, and,' when lie, is about to be discharged from tho Army .or-from hospital, we set' about trying to fit him into a. comfortable situation.

"The 'Department is assisted in itswork by u number.'of voluntary agencies ; scattered throughout the Dominion. Excellent work has been dope bysomo of. tho committees, such as .Southland, . Christeliurchj. and Timaru, but. I can see qiiit-6 clearly that the time is not far distant when, in centres like. Auck T land, Duiiedin, and Christchurch, .pressure, of. work will- render it necessary. ..- for the Department' to- have its own . officers carrying on the'work which is at. present, being, performed';-by-.public-- ( ....,^irited-.yplunte'ars."'-- : V