R.S.A. APPEAL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1929, Page 3

R.S.A. APPEAL

PREFERENCE TO EX-SOLDIERS. The following appeal has been issued by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association:— During the years 1914-1918, every encouragement was offered to the young manhood of the nation to obtain soldiers. Nothing was said to lie too good for those who were sent away in the N.Z.E.F., and other branches of his Majesty’s Forces. Dependents would be looked after, jobs would be kept open, anything—putting it broadly—was promised if only tlie men would offer themselves for war service. Granted that the public of New Zealand lins to a great extent carried outthese promises in a generous manner, at the same time there are still problems which will remain a tax upon the Dominion for some years. Many have said that it is time that the war Was forgotten, hut a moment’s reflection shows how stupid such a statement! is. The war certainly played havoc with commerce, but tlie damage done to human life was very much more serious; husbands and fathers killed. And what of the future for the dependents —tlie whole course of life altered! Similarly, youths hardly out olf their ’teens, hundreds of them who had not commenced work of any kind, went to war, did their best, and, many of them, returned. The outlook of such youths grown into manhood in the midst of war has not been sufficiently considered. Their futures, in hundreds of instances, have been entirely changed, and unless tho public the self-same public Which hogged that ail eligible young men should fight for it—remembers the war and those who offered their lives in response to the call, the many generous acts done during repatriation Will be smudged. To remember tlie war and to remember practically is tlie thing and the following resolution, passed at a recent New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association (Hcadouartcrs) meeting shows, the need for a reminder to tho New Zen bifid public:— “That this Executive Standing Subcommittee of the N.Z.R.S.A., notes that at tlie last meeting df the Wellington Education. Board, tlie position of staffs officer was discussed, and Mr Clark pressed for the appointment of a mail, stating that there were scores of good men—returned soldiers, too—who would be suitable- in every way, and glad of the opportunity. While not aware of the full facts, it is regretted that the board could not see its way clear to call for applications with preference to returned men. Tlie N.Z. ICS.A., in reference to this important subject, regrets that preference to turned men lias been lost sight of, end urges all public bodies and employers. of labour to remember that there are many competent ex-service men seek ing employment. Jt urges them to continue to give preference to exsoldiers for any vacancies that may occur.”

Men were begged to go to the war. they went,, nild who will say that tlieii job was not well done? They returned and the majority are in employment but there are others who have not yet managed to obtain suitable or peimanent employment, and the New Zen land Returned Soldiers’ Association, on 'behalf of such men, asks for preference for returned men—all other things being equal—for any jobs which may be offering. There are some men who, unfortunately, have forfeited their claims to further consideration— many of this class would have been the same had they not gone to the war. but there are more in the class that war is completely responsible, for their inability to obtain suitable and permanent employment.

On behalf of ex-service men, therefore, the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association earnestly asks all employers of labour to remember the war-time promises, and to give preference to tlie men who did theii bit when called upon.