NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 July 1917, Page 3

NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE.

PROPOSED TRAINING COLLEGE.

MEETING AT HELENSVILLE

MR F. NORRTS, the organiser of the New Zealand National Service League, addressed a meeting in the Star Theatre on Mondayevening last. The Rev. A. V. Venables introduced the speaker, and called on Mr Norris to explain his mission.

Mr Norris mentioned the League and the purpose for which it was founded. He referred to the'war, and the treatment soldiers had received after previous wars. The returned disabled men were worthy of every care and assistance, and with this object in view it was proposed to build training colleges to hold about 200 men, and in these buildings soldiers could be taught such trades as shoemaking, tailoring, picture-fram-ing, book-binding, book-keeping, etc. The college might be built on some 20 or 30 acres of ground, in order that industries, such as fruit-growing, bee-keeping, hothouse work, poultry-farming, market - gardening, could be taught. Disabled men, Mr Norris said, were now returning in numbers, and must soon find employment. Left to themselves they will either drift into such occupations as they are not fit for, or be employed by some generous employer. In either case, if they were unable to do a full day's work they would in a few years be classed as permanent inefficients, and the people should take steps to prevent such a calamity. He thought the establishment of a training college would be a National asset, and it would pay the nation to make its disabled soldiers useful and happy citizens. After a time, civilians, who are unfortunately disabled, could also be taught in the same college, and ultimately the building could be turned into a veterans' home for soldiers who break down in, old age. He then suggested that a resolution be passed and forwarded to the Member for Kaipara, and thereby assist the scheme.

Mr J. F. Lambert, Chairman of the Helensville Town Board, then proposed the following resolution which was seconded, by Mr E. T. Field, and carried:—" That this meeting, while fully appreciating the provisions already made for the benefit of returned soldiers, is strorily of the opinion that further provision should be made for the purpose of assisting disabled soldiers to take up suitable occupations, and to this end we recommend that the Government be asked to erect and maintain a training college for disabled soldiers, at which college full opportunities shall be given to all disabled soldiers to receive expert advice and training in suitable crafts and industries, sufficient to enable them to reenter civil life with a reasonable prospect of earning a fair living ; and we, the persons attending this meeting, pledge ourselves to do our best in assisting returned, and especially disabled soldiers to re-enter civil life." '