TRAINING EX-SOLDIERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 832, 28 November 1929, Page 10

TRAINING EX-SOLDIERS

BETTER THAN ECONOMIC PENSIONS

EVIDENCE TO COMMISSION Special to Tan SUX CHRISTCHURCH, Toe,, Kvidi-nce was given before ? Soldiers- Kehabiiit a ,|„ n '*>« E. yesterday by Mr. Francis Hobbs, a member of ihe *■' the Canterbury Patriotic vn ” ' ! member of the committee the Kannerdale Soldiers' HoS?'*'^ ; president of the Canterburv rl; *■ Association and a tormer the Canterbury District : M,-I S “n" SM 'e e Mr. Hobbs’s evidence" lt heard by the Commission C * st! From many years of experience organisations, said Mr. HobbJ 1 01 opinion that some change from the present system of pensions. Two important point* * in considering this matter an " are whether it is less expensive "* State to meet the needs of thev ‘ P ' by continuing the system of ewn pensions, or whether it would nT much better, both for the men son State, even if it is more Co . t l“ ! rehabilitate these men and mak< i capable citizens. I an. of opini. B T the cost of the latter would much greater, and even i’ it the financial loss should ha\> ~ weight as against the greater hm r of rehabilitation. “The methods to be adopted to tain this economic restoration \n? the following:—(1) Completion training of partially competent trad, men. (2) Unskilled men to be trail in occupations which do not long apprenticeship. (3) a labour bureau for ex-service men Establishment of wo-kshops and dustries suited to men who have sical disabilities.

“I think that the reopening. j„ modified form, of the Repatriation b partment should be authorised * headquarters in Wellington. An off should be opened in each of the f! main cities, the system to be confer to those four centres until it has be well tested. Men in the smaller cent-' could, in urgert cases, be transfers to the main centre for training, v advisory committee of six good bui ness men should be set up to coni' the activities in each of the fo ; centres.

“The work of the district off would be to control points 1, 3 v 4. The capital for the e stablishment an equipment of the workshop must State charge, tut it is important ih> the development of the industries shot, he on a sound commercial basis * that they may. in a considerable d. gree. be self-supporting. To secr this it would he advisable to appoi: a directorate from tte advisory cor mittee and other business men

“The selection of suitable industry is confined to somewhat narrow lim;: Particular attention should be given occupations which can be develop into industries which the worker car develop in his own home, at mine capital cost.”