WORK WANTED

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 160, 1 April 1919, Page 6

WORK WANTED

PARTIALLY INCAPACITATED MEN.

The number of returned soldiers out of employment in Wellington is not large, but there is need of a special effort on the part of employers to make places for partially incapacitated men—the returned soldiers, that is, who aro not able to take up heavy manual work or resume their old occupations. Returned men who are able to become labourers or who can join the skilled trades aro easily placed. The men who need assistance are chiefly,those who want light work. The Returned Soldiers' Association and the repatriation officers are looking for places for partially incapacitated men. They can supply any employer with .the names of soldiers who could become caretakers, lift attendants, messengers and so forth, but who cannot lake on heavy work at the present time. Yesterday a Dominion reporter met several of these men. .They are suffering from shellshock or from the efl'ect of wounds. They want employment, but they cannot face continuous physical work or anv employment involving a strain upon mind and muscle. Some of them have made an effort to perform work of the kind they were accustomed to before they went to the front and have failed.

"I do not think employers aro realising fully their duty to these men," said a gentleman who has conccrncd himself with the welfare of -the partially incapacitated soldiers. "There must he many billets that could be filled by these men, but we find it very hard to place the poor fellows. The men are keen to work. They do not wish to live upon their pensions—even if they aro able to do so—and they do not want to accept charity. But thev are shaken in nerves and weakened in body, and they must have light work if they are to work at all. I would urge every employer to look around and see what lie can do for these men. If lie can find a place for one of them, he lias only to communicate with the repatriation officers or the Returned Soldiers' 'Association. The men are waiting."