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Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1931, Page 4

Thk early working of the Discharged Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment Act does not offer much immediate piospect of utility. The difficulty at the outset is the want of funds, which the Government at the present juncture is unable to provide. This is unfortunate, because, as designed, the legislation could he very helpful to many struggling disabled soldiers. The scheme is somewhat on the lines of the vocational-‘section operating under ine-' Reparations Act formerly in force. It is intended as the money is available, to provide ways and means for instruction in trades and professions for those who desire to take other or extra work. At present the organisation depends on votes from patriotic funds, which only covers the administration. but through the- generous action of the management of technical schools, free instruction is given to these desiring it. For the time being only those receiving economic pensions are able to participate, but there is naturally the desire fcr the full benefit of the s heme to he applied, and the Government is being urged to make the grant promised when the report of the rehabilitation enquiry 7 was presented a couple of years ago. Until that money is available the scheme must be suspended practically.

In the centres owing to the convenience of the technical instruction available, it is possible to do something for those close enough, but men at a distance remain out of the advantages. In a district such as this where light work is not available for disabled men, there will be a difficulty in placing men to a benefit. But under the scheme 'of supplementing wages something might be done in various directions to ensure the men earning up to current rates in whatever work is offering. As regards technical instruction in out of the way places, it is proposed to adopt instruction by correspondence, for which the Committee would pay as funds are available. This would ho helpful, hut of course not a.s advantageous as the direct instruction from the technical teachers. Behind, the scheme is the idea, of doing the right thing for the disabled men, and the Government should realise its part in the matter, and not for too loqg delay the full operation of the Act for the benefit of those entitled to it.