RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 23, 22 October 1920, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS

ESTABLISHMENT IN BUSINESS

THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCESS

An interesting report dealing with the question of establishing returned soldiers in business lias been prepared by the Wellington district repatriation officer (Mr. C. W. Batten). • Dealing with tho last quarter, the report slates that the latter part of tho quarter has shown a falling off in the number of applications for lousiness loans,! although 51 applications were received for tho whole quarter as against 48 for the previous quarter. "There are, of course," continues tho report, "numbers of men who have been spending their time since returning to New Zealand in preparing to start in business, and doubtless applications will continuo to come in for a time from such mon'and from disabled men. It 6hould be borne in mind that the first effort at re-establishing disabled men is not always suqjiessful, and a loan for a small business 'is often helpful where training or employment docs not ( properly re-establish the disabled soldier.

Difficulties Facing Disabled Men. "In this connection, it must bo> said that the difficulties which a disabled man finds as an employee, are not necessarily removed by making him ; his own employer. On the contrary, where a disabled soldier is an employee his absence from work does not seriously hamper ths business, but where he is conducting the business on his own account a breakdown means total loss of earnings and serious financial difficulties., perhaps ruining the business. Again, the worry which every business entails often seriously affects the health of u disabled soldier. The T.B. soldier, for example, is one of the great problems of the Department, and we have in hand now threa cases:—

"A" A small fruit and confectioncry store financed by this Department. The store is not "A's" sole means of livelihood, as he works outside as well. "A" had a relapse and left his wife to carry on. His wife became ill (probably through worry), and only tne most strenuous elfovts of the Department, combined with mora advances, saved the business.

"B." A motor garage business. "B" .was not financed by the Department, but asked us to manage his affairs when ha went to hospital. The business was .insolvent, and a fleeting of creditors waa called, the Department meantime advancing money to pay the rout. The creditors generously wiped ojut most of the accounts, bill still the soldier will loss JJI2S put in. "C." A motor carrier, not financed ljy the Department, also left his affairs in our hands. He is paying storage on his truck oil the timo because wo cannot find a buyer. Wb have to advance money to cay n repair bill owing. "In these cases I am convinced that ill-health handicapped the soldiers from the start, and the fact that the business was not prospering, and the consequent worry, either caused, or aggravated the relapse. Of course, Mick oases as these involve a great deal of work for tho Department, but this Is gladly undertaken.

Not the Day of the Small Trader. "The causes of failure in business are mainly two so far, i.e., sickness or incompetence. Trade conditions, generally, appear good, and a careful and energetic man should succeed. Indications are* not wauting, however, that it is not. tho day -of the small trader— fluctuating markets, and, above all, the uncertainty of supplies make it very difficult for the trader who buys from hand to mouth. On the. other hand, small working partnerships (as distinct from trading) being free from labour troubles, are doing Suoh businesses deliver good work and cun always guarantee delivery, which' is not. the case iii" larger concerns dependent on employees. Of course, this advertisement is to come extent offset by such small businesses not being able to carry proper stocks of material. Agency businesses are not generally successful. • Many indent ogents book orders for thousands of Bounds, hut gGt 110 deliveries, and consequently no commissions."