MINISTER FOR SOLDIERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1710, 10 May 1917, Page 3

MINISTER FOR SOLDIERS.

“1 have read, and at different meetings listened with interest,” said the Hon. A. L. Ilerdumu to a Post reporter, “to the criticisms and suggestions made by members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association upon (he question oi' the employment of discharged men. ’flip Discharged Soldiers’ Information Department having to Mud its way over unexplored territory without the aid of precedent, I agree that if practicable there should be one Minister only controlling and administering limiters relating to returned soldiers, and sueh an arrangement will, I imagine, be made when the war is over and the .Minister of Defence is relieved of the arduous work of recruiting and training and despatching soldiers to the front. At present (he Minister of Defence deals wilh (he soldier whilst, he is a -mldier, and the War Pensions Department is under his control. The Don. Mr Russell provides hospitals and curative treatment for (he disabled man. The .Minister of Lands settles soldiers on the land, and (he Discharged Soldiers’ Information Deparlmenl Minis the ex-soldier employment and willingly acts u> his guide and friend by supplying him with information and by prosecuting enquiries for him. it is argued that if the various functions enumerated above were performed by one Minister, organisation could be simplified, and the diselmrged soldier seeking relief would mil, in his struggle for Ids rights, lie cut off from the object which he wishes It'i attain by red tape entanglement'., and his head would not grow dizzv in an attempt to master the meaning <d the pile of bewildering lileralure llinisl upon him by philanthropic and enthusiastic Government ollicials. I am sure that the proposal of the Returned Soldiers’ Association is sound, and I hope lhat hhen (lie war. is over the work now performed by ollieers of the Discharged Soldiers’ Information Department will be continued by the Departmen to which it properly belongs.”