READJUSTMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 103, 29 October 1945, Page 4

READJUSTMENT

MEDICAL MAN'S ADVICE

THE EX-SOLDIER'S HOME

LIFE

"Don't fuss over •.■our men, and don't organise them," said Dr. Walter Reeve, assistant medical superintendent at the Services Convalescent Hospital, Rotorua, in an address last night. Dr. Reeve was directing his remarks to women when he added: "Remember that for years they have lived too close to too many people for too long, and that their companionship has been entirely male. They find it difficult at first to adjust themselves to the opposite sex and have their freedom curtailed. Remember, the} 7 don't feel heroes and hate to be shown off among a lot of people and asked to tell of their experiences. Modern war is not a hunting expedition into the wilds, from which a man returns to tell his adventures. War is a terrible thing— it is civilisation's ultimate horror. Don't try to hold your men too close to you. Let them savour their freedom. Again—time is needed—but the most important thing on our sjde is the sound heart of the men."

It was found on a man's return that his standard of values had altered. After he had lived "in big business" most jobs appeared petty and trifling and not worth while, and with restlessness and lack of concentration added, it became difficult to stay the course. His reactions were often quite contrary to the real man himself, and some times had disastrous results for both employer and employee. A great number of employers were honestly making every endeavour to assist their men in adjusting their working lives again. Many more would do the same if they only realised that a little understanding made all the difference. "A returned man doesn't look for sympathy," said Dr. Reeve. "What he wants and needs more than anything is the understanding that he is not wilfully difficult over adjusting himself to civilian occupation again. You, as the employer, must bring to the task all the experience of life you have gained and all the tact and wisdom you have learned." While the Rehabilitation Department had done a good deal to help those men, the majority of them will have to be helped by the individual employers and firms. That wao as it should be, because the individual and employer could bring to the task the personal touch and the~ human warmth and sympathy which counted for so' much. If young men of the Allied Nations had not gone out to fight there would not only have been no profits for. the business man, • but no capital. They earned their wages while they were fighting overseas to make profits possible. "You are in their debt," he said. "You must pay that debt in a form they can accept. Your clear duty now is to help train them to become civilian workers again 'and accept the fact that the change in these men is inevitable and not their fault. Again, time, patience, and tact are needed. After a few lapses on the man's part, have a quiet talk with him. Show him that you understand his difficulties and troubles and restlessness. Take an interest in him. Ask him about^ his home life, recreation, and ambitions. Encourage him. Say that you on your part will be lenient, will give him time and help all you can, and he on his part must try to do his best. If. with,understanding in your mind and sympathy in your heart —and. not forgetting due gratitude on your part for what he has done for us all—you make an appeal to his sense of fair play, he will seldom let you down. His behaviour may have temporarily changed, but his heart is sound." Time, above all, was needed to restore men to a normal life. Circumstances were often easier for a man who, instead of going straight back into civilian life, entered a hospital or convalescent home on his return to New Zealand. While there he made increasing contact with civilians, and while always having his friends to fall back on, he gradually became adjusted to civilian life.