DEMOBLISATION.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 107, 21 November 1918, Page 3

DEMOBLISATION.

Many people have scarcely dared to think of the vast problems which will spring to the fore by the ending of the world war. Those whose intellectual strength is not equal to answering big questions, and who lack penetrating insight, are all too ready to adopt a pessimistic viewpoint and tell a tale of social chaos. The trouble is, they are so likely to win believers if those whose business it is are tardy in finding the solutions men ask for. The people of this country have waited long for the Government to announce its plans concerning the placing of the men who return from the business of war. The ceasing of hostilities finds us waiting still. The utmost that has been done so far is the setting up of a committee composed of Cabinet Ministers to formulate a scheme. No doubt other countries already have their plans for demobilisation cut and dried ; sound sense demands that they should have. The meagre epitome of the Home Government’s plans shows how practically they intend to deal with their problem. The fact that the repatriation scheme needed for this Dominion is not of the same vast proportions is not sufficient excuse for not having one ready. The difference between the Homeland’s problem and ours is more a matter of degree than it is of kind. For this reason the demobilisation plans contemplated by the Old Country would form an excellent ground-work for the scheme to be operated here and would allow for adaptability to local conditions. Some such scheme is absolutely essential for the maintenance of social equilibrium until the normal is reached. The intention to bring back the pivotal men in industries at the earliest moment may well be followed. The situation demands that the captains of industry be first sent on duty so that they may assist to their places the men who follow after. Next come those whose places have been kept open. But in the placing of these many others are likely to be displaced. No doubt many helped to turn the wheel of industry because the demands of war rendered their help necessary. With the removal of.that necessity they are prepared to return whence they came, happy in the knowledge of something attempted and something done. Others displaced who must need have some niche to fill have to be reckoned in the residue to be demobilised. The residue represents the greatest number to be dealt with, and Great Britain’s intentioh to let industrial requirements and broad social considerations determine the rate at which these are returned to civil life show how she hopes to avoid the evils of flooding. The difficulty from first to last is in maintaining the social balance. How to overcome that difficulty will call for tho maturest thought of our greatest minds. This is no problem to be shelved and dealt with in a hurry. An unemployment benefit fund must be included in the furniture of any scheme. Elementary justice demands one. None should be called upon to suffer loss because they may not be readily absorbed. The granting of financial aid to needy cases for a period up to six months will go far towards making the settling down process less terrible to comtemplate. Some such scheme as the alaove would make it possible to face the future with great confidence, and we look for those whose work it is, to busy themselves with the perfecting of a satisfactory scheme for this country,,