EMPLOYMENT FOR SOLDIERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1918, Page 4

EMPLOYMENT FOR SOLDIERS.

TRAINING DISABLED MEN. The Discharged Soldiers’ Information Department has issued the following circular letter to Patriotic Societies relative to the training of disabled soldiers in new trades or industries under the financial assistance scheme now given effect to by the Department: — We notice that most of the disabled men applying, to the Department for training in new trades or industries seem to be “ running in a groove” and are unfortunately selecting the same occupation, viz., clerical, wool-classing or motor mechanics, and if this goes on there would appear to be some danger of overcrowding in those lines. We desire therefore to -bring under your notice the following occupations which it occurs to us disabled soldiers might be able to fo low after a certain amount of training:— Basket-maker, book-binder, bookkeeper, brush-maker, cabinetmaker, coppersmith, draughtsman, boot-maker, electrician, farmer, French polisher, wool-classer, hairdresser, hatter, motor mechanic, piano tuner, printer, rope maker, saddler or leather worker, sailmaker, tailor, tinsmith, upholsterer, wire worker.

When discussing the matter of training with disabled men, unable to resume their former occupations, will you kindly bring this list of callings under their notice, and suggest to them that they select trades or vocations allied to the employment they were engaged in previous to the war, in order that their former experience may not be entirely wasted. . We may say-that farm work has been specially recommended as suitable for New Zealanders, but of course dairy farming would be unsuitable for men suffering from lung trouble. ' . J. R. Samson.