AIDING DISABLED SOLDIERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 573, 28 January 1929, Page 8

AIDING DISABLED SOLDIERS

WHEN the drums of war were throbbing, there was grand talk of what would be done for the Dominion’s soldiers when peace was restored; but unfortunately, although the Government did its spectacular best, it is only after years of peace that the most difficult of repatriation problems has grown to be appreciated. The war, causing as it did, a tremendous revolution in the lives of many men, the wonder is that more have not found difficulty in travelling again down the peaceful ways. Most of the returned men have been able to join in the common round; but there are others who, for differing reasons, remain a charge upon the country for which they fought. The physically disabled have been provided with pensions, but there are otherkinds of disablement besides those bringing obvious physical loss. There are men, who tlifougli the stress of campaigning, have grown old before their time; others who, having lost opportunities for consolidation during valuable years, now find themselves in “dead end” employment. Worst of all are the misfits . . . and yet something must be done for them too. The problem is a difficult one, and it is fitting that the preliminary investigations should be conducted by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association itself, and the commission that is to obtain evidence and consider the various aspects of the problem consists of the Dominion president and representatives from the four provinces. Classified data will be presented to it, and thorough investigation will be made concerning palliatives. Suggestions offered include one for the establishment of veterans’ homes, and another for the establishment of farm colonies. There is no doubt that the homes will, in time, become a necessity; for many of the men who fought are physically weakened, and will age prematurely. Suffering as they do from the direct consequences of service they must be cared for later on, and it really seems as if the time has come for consideration of one phase of the problem which must eventually be faced. The establishment of farm colonies is also a sound suggestion; but it is one which will have to be considered carefully because many ex-soldiers have already had painful experience in their efforts to win a living from the land; but the colonies proposed should be under the care of experts, and the settlers, without havingpersonal responsibility, should be allotted labour according to their physical capacity. The details of the proposals will, of course, be considered later; but in the meantime, it is satisfactory to know that attempts are to be made toward the meeting of a difficult situation.