RETURNED WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 196, 14 May 1919, Page 8

RETURNED WOUNDED SOLDIERS

THE GOVERNMENT'S PROMISES. Sir, —iA. returned soldier of ray. acquaintance who, prior', to leaving New Zealand' as a volunteer, was permanently employed as a railway tally clerk, was distinctly promised by. that Department that his position would be open to him on his return. But what do we find? Ho was ordered to undergo a. medical examination here, and was reported upon by the doctor to the Department, referred •to as suffering from a heart weakness and defective eyesight, tho result of four years', fighting and euffering in order that we in New Zealand—shirkers, old "crocte," and others—might be allowed three meals a day, flash fur coats, and boots at 3 guineas a pair! Yet this young man, who so cheerfully offered his life for his country, is now "turned down" by that country, just because he was wounded for your, and my, protection. He informs me that his eyesight is quite good enough for the postiion lie formerly filled, and I trust that the new Genoral Manager of Railways (Mr. M'Villy) vjll cause inquiries to be made relative to the manner in which this wounded, gassed, and shell-shocked soldier has been treated. He was given a railway pass "From anywhere" over.tho New Zealand railways, but of wliat use is that to him, seeing that he can neither pat nor sleep on it? It is truly a mighty poor country.'s acknowledgment for the life he 60 promptly offered and risked in fighting for the dear old flag. Trusting that you will give this letter due publicity, and thanking you in anticipation therefor,—l am, etc, E. M. DESLANDES. May 12, 1919. [A copy of the above letter was shown to the General Manager of Railways, who had inquiries made j)n'the matter. Hβ said that the promise given to all men on enlistment was that they'should'get their jobs again on their return if they returned fit to take up their former employment.. But when a man came back disqualified by physical infirmities from being able to take up such work as he had been doing, then the Department must look round, and in fact did look round, to find another position for him. If the condition of the man was, such ' as to render it dangerous to' the man ' himself, or to others of his fellow-work- ' ers, or to the public, to allow him- to ' resume his former employment, then obviously the Department could not let him : take up the work. Very few .men had : been told that they could not bo-jtaken on 1 sgain, and those who had -Vaen refused ' re-employment had been tol/thftt if they improved in health enough, to pass a 1 subsequent medical examination the Department would do the best possible to ■ replace them in positions. Every sym- ' pnthy was shown to returned men, and ' the Department went out of its way a ! good deal to try to meet their cases. 'No ■ man is rejected," said Mr. M'Villy, , 'if 1 w.e can employ him in any capacity ! where it will not be a danger to himsell. ' or a menace to the safety of others to do ; so." Referring to the special case of tho ; man referred to, Mr. M'Villy eaid that ■ he was disqualified because of defective > eight. On the file there was no -mention ' of heart weakness.. A man with sucli ; defective sight as this man's was shown ■ to be could not with safety be employed ■ by the Department in the near neighbour- ! hood of moving trains. The man was a ■ casual worker in the employ of the De- : partment for about eighteen months be- : fore he enlisted. Mr. M'Villy had not • sufficient information at the moment to • sav whether the man would be found a • position elsewhere in the employ of the • Railways.! I : i