DISABLED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 149, 19 March 1919, Page 7

DISABLED SOLDIERS

QUESTION OF TRAINING,

The welfare of soldiers who have been permanently disabled as a result of their experiences on active service, was discussed in Auckland at a meeting of the Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr. George George, who is a member of the Repatriation Board, and Captain W. A. G. Penlington. who is in charge of the vocational training of undischarged soldiers in the Auckland Province, were present, with a view to ascertaining tho desires of the men in tho matter of learning trades. It was pointed out that there were nearly 50CO permanently disabled soldiers in the Dominion, and concern was expressed that despite this fact practically nothing had been done in the direction of fitting.them for the earning of a proper living. There seemed no place for them in the community. It was necessary-that their needs should be ascertained and placed before tho Repatriation Board, so that the matter coulo: be settled. The Government was the largest employer in the Dominion, and it should have employed a large number of disabkd men, but such was not the case. The Government, it was asserted, showed no inclination to do so; rather the Teverse. It was suggested that the Government should establish industries suitable for the employment of disabled men, and that such industries ■ should: be protected bv subsidies or a high protective tariff".

Eventually a committee was set up with the object of ascertaining the needs of the men, and of enlightening the public os to what was considered to'be its duty to the soldiers. It was stated that sim'ilar committees would be formed throughout the Dominion. •