CONTRASTS: THEORY AND PRACTICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 57, 4 September 1943, Page 6

CONTRASTS: THEORY AND PRACTICE

"Until the Government makes up its mind what it intends to do about rehabilitation the scheme" cannot go ahead," said Mr. C. O. Bell, vicepresident of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association, in a recent address to war amputees. He described the Government's plans as excellent in theory, but said that so far nothing practical had been achieved. This statement, coming from one who has made a close study of all problems affecting the interests of returned servicemen, contrasts strangely with claims which have been made by the Government about its rehabilitation plans. The Labour manifesto, for instance, contains this statement: "New Zealand's rehabilitation scheme is. well under way and its provisions lead the world." Then, again, Mr. Semple, who, until the return of Major Skinner, held the portfolio, declare^ this week that to date New Zealand was further advanced in rehabilitation than any other country in the British Commonwealth, and Mr. Fraser, speaking in Wellington last Monday, said that Major Skinner, who had had an opportunity of studying what other, countries had done, had told him that New Zealand was well in the van. In theory or in practice? Mr. Bell, who has closely watched the position, thinks that the scheme is excellent in theory but so far failing in practical achievement. The public will agree that the real test of any plan is its practical application, and will want some further and close investigation to. assure themselves that the great promises given and the big claims made are not going to, lead to sad disappointment.