DISABLED soldiers

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3044, 3 April 1917, Page 3

DISABLED soldiers

SPECIAL TRAINING FACILITIES

ALLOWANCES OP MONEY

Toj thoso interested in tho welfare of our returned soldiers, it has been a matter of surpriso and some disaj)pointment that' so few of our mon who have been discharged as medically urmt havo. availed themselves of tho facilities which havo been provided for training them in now forms of industry, (especially suited to their individual condition. At tho technical colleges and schools. throughout the Dominion, freo places arc awaiting men unable to follow their old, occupations, and arrangements ifor training in farming pursuits havo been provided at the various Stato farms, but relatively very fow of the men who have returned to New Zealand have taken advantage of tho opportunities offered. ■■This question was the subject of an interview which a reporter had with tho Attorney-General yesterday. Mr. Herdman, who is in charge of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, which specially concerns itself with questions of this kind, said that Be Tfaa been disappointed at the small extent to which tno soldiers hrivo availed them selves of the advantages which havo been provided for them in the matter of training. Whilst thero are unquestionably good grounds for satisfaction in the knowledge that largo numbers of the discharged men have no difficulty in securing -employment which they are able to undertake without special preparation, and arc _ thilK immediately and satisfactorily absorbed in the industrial life of the community, tho Minister feels convinced that thore must be many whoso futuro \vould be benefited and whoso outlook on life would bo improved if they; .acquired proficiency in 'somo special form of industry in which tho disabilities from which they aro .suffering would not prejudice them to tho extent that possibly they do without such training; Mr. Herdman explained that Ko had becomo satisfied that many of tho men were discouraged from striking out on new lines owing to the fact-that during their period of tuition they have only, their pension to rely upon for the purpose of daily maintenance, and the temptation is therefore very 6ti"ong to take up -work of an immediately remunerative character for which perhaps they aro indifferently fitted, in preference to attempting by special training to qualify themselves later on for greater usefulness and independence. This means, of course, the sacrifico of tho future for the immediate necessities of the present. To counteract this very natural impulse, Mr. Herdman wishes' it to be widely known that the Government has now decided to grant 'allowances to men undergoing technical training sufficient. to cover, according "to the circumstances of the ca6e, the whole or part of v the expenses of their board and lodging during the period of their training. These allowances .when granted will be altogether .irrespective of any pensions which may have been allotted by thei War Pensions Board. It must be understood, of that allowances will only he granted'to men -.whose disabilities due to military service are such as to prevent them from following their former trade or occupation. ' Tho granting of the allowance will be dependent upon the branch of training selected being approved by the Department, arid this approval will, other things', be conditional upon the occupation selected being prima facie suited to the man's capacity and physical condition. Carelessness in this respect can only result in disappointment, discouragement, and waste of time for soldier and teaoher' alike, and it is therefore highly necessary for careful discrimination to be exercised jn respect of this aspect of the question. The allowance having been approved, its continuance will depend upon the good conduct,' regularity of attendance, and satisfactory progress of the recipient, and it is hoped that the adoption of the new scheme will remove an obstacle to the welfare of men who havo done their duty, to their oountry, and who, in return, nave, the right to expeot from the community such amelioration of the disabilities they have incurred as the circumstances of their case will allow. Experience lias shown that intelligence and perseverance will overcome very serious drawbacks, and anything Whicli tends to increase.the comfort and self-respect and cheer the' outlook of men who Lavei sacrificed themselves for their country's good should be welcomed as a'small recognition of tho claims they have upon us. .'