WORK FOR SOLDIERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 809, 1 November 1929, Page 1

WORK FOR SOLDIERS

DISABLED MEN PREPARE THEIR EVIDENCE MASS OF DATA READY A huge mass of tabulated data is said to be awaiting the commission of inquiry into the position of incapacitated returned soldiers which will begin its Auckland sittings on November 12. The commission is now sitting at Dunedin and will proceed direct to Auckland. The preparation of evidence is well advanced, according; to officials of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association, and copies of a questionnaire have been sent to 4,000 members, over 1,200 of whom have filled in *and returned their forms. The questionnaire proves that disabled men prefer to take up suitable work rather than to accept the Government pension. In a letter to members, Mr. E. H. Sharp, secretary of the association, says: OFFICIAL ATTITUDE “The Government does not intend to cut out the economic pension and put nothing in its place; the position is that if work can be found the pensioner will be expected to do it. which, of course, is only rig-lit, as he will probably earn more than he was getting-as an economic grant; if he refuses such work, naturally the economic grant will be discontinued. But those pensioners for whom no suitable work can be found will not be interfered with as regards the economic pension. If the scheme can be worked it will mean that economic pensioners will be put on an earning basis instead of receiving what is practically a dole, and the big majority would far rather work for what they get.” Out of a total of 678 men whose forms have been tabulated, 350 are unemployed. A large number of men claim they are working only one or two days a week and many announce they have had no wprk for several years. HOMES UNPOPULAR A number are willing to take up small holdings but the idea of a veterans’ home is not popular with the majority. Before the commission commences its sittings in Auckland a committee, of which Sir George Richardson is chairman, will consider the evidence obtained by means of the questionnaire and whl prepare a considered statement for the benefit of the commission. Veterans of the South African and Maori "Wars are specially invited to furnish their own association with particulars concerning themselves for submission at the inquiry, and the South African War Veterans’ Association is making a special appeal to its members to accept tills invitation.