FOR OUR RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2987, 26 January 1917, Page 6

FOR OUR RETURNED SOLDIERS

.'■■■'■' NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL SERVICE - LEAGUE ORGANISER'S REPORT : : Twelve months has elapsed since the old soldiers of this Dominion founded the New Zealand National Service '. League (states the league organiser in his report). The establishment of the league was, the result of wishes expressed by many, of those enlisting for the front. The main objects sought to ■■; ;■ be attained by, the league were to make every provision possible for the future -' welfare of .our returned soldiers in civil ''"life, the care- and education of war '■orphans, "and the fostering of a spirit ' ~ ,of encouragement throughout this D - .' minion to purchase goods of British manufacture. Complying with your request to tour New Zealand and advo- ■ eate the objects of the league, I am •.vpleased to report that every opportunity has been given me by Education ■Boards, military authorities, and boy ... scout officers to deliver addresses to the coming generations on the objects of .; •: tSie league!' ' I have had the pleasure s of addressing over 150,000 of the young .- ; .people of this Dominion, whom you ■ were, rightly of opinion would carry 1-";' our message homo to their parents. I "cannot too strongly emphasise the fact as to the sacrifices made by the child-ren-in assisting every patriotic object. Under the willing guidance of their teachers they have accomplished marvellous results, showing a truly British i spirit in their efforts. -■"■ You requested me to obtain all-the test suggestions relative to the welfare our x brave men on their return to i'eivil life. This I have done, and those 'requiring immediate attention have been forwarded to the proper authorities, all of which I am pleased to state have heen adopted. Tho hardest time of a .'soldier's life is in regaining his for.jmer position in civil life. It is amazing how manypeople consider that a soldier should accept any workoffered to him, no matter how menial ~ or uncongenial the nature of the work' • may be, instead of offering ■- him the ■vSJiest position he is capable of holding. •.The Discharged Soldiers' Department, have done, and are doing, splendid work •''■' in helping'the men back into civil life, " and deserve the loyal support of every The kind offer of the Techjiiical School authorities to teach trades ;to those men who are incapacitated .'from following their former occupation jttias not been taken advantage of to the 'extent we all would desire. The offer, nevertheless, is very highly appreciated. A special word of praise is due to the experts of the Agricultural Department for the time and instruction they have given to returned soldiers who have -- taken up land. Your requests to ob-' suggestions in reference, to the 'celebration of Anzac" Day 1 have re,C:<ported oh separately. t ' Suggestions. I desire to place before you the fol- ' 'lowing suggestions, which I have taken • from the many made to me as to .the 'best way. in which help may be given to :-'v;those returned soldiers in civil life:— ..' ~.'.-■ ..Suggestion No. v l. —That some organv'.ised attempt should be made to obtain • help in the home, and. especially on •-.the farms, where the owners or their -.' "Vfeons are at the front, by finding labour •on. the busy season. "The National Reserve might help with this suggestion. 2. —That those who cannot go to tho front help in every way returned solin, civil life, by assisting them to '■'obtain the best positions they are cap..lable'of holding, teaching trades and - '"industries to disabled men. Public 'education as to the necessity and jus■tice of supporting returned soldiers, who Jiave re-started in business or professions, on their return to civil life. 3.—That a training home be estabJished by. the Government, to teach dis'abled soldiers crafts, arts, trades, and industries; knowledge of which, to.gether with their pensions, would en;able- them to'live in comfort. The isaid training 'home," at a.later' date, ..;if. not required for the above purpose, iJto be utilised' as an institute for sol'/diers totally incapacitated. , : . 4.—That the publio .refrain from giv•ing hard cash to strangers who state -ihey are returned soldiers. It breeds :-• impostors; the worst enemy of the true .rsoldiers; and also refrain from asking ""■Soldiers--of.-their ■■ experience at the "••front—many desire to forget. , •••- o.—That the Government give prefer- , /dice to returned soldiers in workmen's ;liomes and advances to settlers. " 6. —Land settlement: That small foldings suitable for market gardens and orchards, near large markets, bo .■taken up by patriotic societies and the Government for partially disabled soldiers. That portions of largo imnrov- . 'ci estates be compulsorily leased by for.^aJoJigJterm in suitable ■jteections to returned soldiers at a pre- . i'm-ar rental. .' 7/ —Thataladies' committee be fonn- :'• ed in every town to keep in touch with !-:<evory war-widow and orphans in their • • 'districts,, with the. object of making any necessary provision for the immediate [. --"welfare of the women and the future :., education of the children. The said . might also be requested to . ■•• Encourage the purchase of goods made ; I'iwithin the Empire. i 8' —That an active campaign be start- , ied throughout the Dominion to educate , and urge the public to purchase goods (made in New Zealand or within the 5 (Empire, thus ensuring full employments for all and prosperity after ,the ■■war in our Dominion,-and throughout the Empire. _ .; 9.—That all goods manufactured , within the Empire be labelled "British ..made."

Tlio abovo suggestions have been made chiefly by veterans, men in the camps, returned soldiers and frontiersmen, an 3 I feel sure no better token of our gratitude can be shown lo the men how acting so bravely in defending our Empire than helping them in civil life on their return. I regret I cannot offer you my services for a further period without salary, but if 500 persons, societies, or schools will guarantee £1 per year for two years—and tnis I think, they: will readily do—l shall be pleased to carry your message into every part of New Zealand.