REPATRIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 107, 30 January 1919, Page 6

REPATRIATION

A SUGGESTION.

Sir, — The problem of what to do lvitli our returned soldiers is admittedly a knotty one, and I should like to oiler a suggestion in that direction. 1 suggest that the returned soldier be oltered his choice on landing of discharge, under tlio present conditions or a fortnight a holiday on full par. and a railway pass to enable him to visit his friends, and then to bo drafted into one of four camps, to be started in the vicinity of the four centres, where he would continue his niilitary career under slightly modified conditions. His wages should be reduced to 255. a weak and everything found, the drill and marching not to W so rigid, and schools should be attached in which, he 'cunld lie taught Marions trades. Arrangements might even bo made with some of the steamship companies to train a certain number as seamen and firemen. Any -Soulier in the camp to bo given leave on reasonable excuse, such as to inspect land or to apply for employment, and any soldier to obtain his discharge on Tsquest on the strict understanding that the State w>*y be no longer responsible for him except to give him preference in application for land and for employment in Government service. In conclusion, I would add that the idea of the scheme, is to allow the.soldier to gradually drift-on to the labour market, instead offthrowing him in » heap.— I am, etc

A. M'KINNON. Stiuisborough, January 27.