RETURNED SOLDIERS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1931, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS

SPECIAL ATTENTION URGED. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 17. ‘The, men who did not go to the war and took the jobs of those who did are still ‘in those jobs and they are the only men who seem to he prospering to-day,” said Colonel Dawson when addressing the Hon W. A. Veitch as a member, of a returt.vvf soldiers’ deputation in reference to the existence of acute distress amongst men who fought in the war. General Richardson, who headed the deputation, declared that returnedmen out of work would have been entirely submerged Imt for the No. o scheme. There were many who could not benefit by the scheme owing to age or war disabilities, and their cases required special attention. He urged the Minister to use his influence to have land made available for them. Colonel Dawson recalled the promises made to soldiers when, they enlisted. He suggested that Narrow Neck Camp he used to accommodate 200 single men, the Government To- provide rations and several non commissioned officers who could easily be spared. Returned men were slipping faster than others into despondeny, and they felt that nobody cared for them. The Minister, replying, said that ex-soldiers had as much claim on the people to-day as when they enlisted.