The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE THURSDAY, AUGUST 3rd, 1916. RETURNED SOLDIERS' EMPLOYMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 3 August 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3rd, 1916. RETURNED SOLDIERS' EMPLOYMENT.

(With which is incorporated The Tal hape Post and Waimarino News.)

Just about a year ago the Government established a Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, and although little or nothing is heard of such an institution in Taihape, there probably being little use for it up to t-he present, the latest report on its operations indicate that it is accomplishing some good work. The return of our men from the front has been insmall numbers at widely intermittent periods, but the time is at hand when the Soldiers' Information Department is likely to be taxed to the utmost, and it might be advisable to be thoroughly prepared with a branch in each of the four great centres at least. From the report published in this journal yesterday, it is disclosed that 1300 men have sought the Department's services, 787 of whom have been placed in positions, while 183 were found positions, accepted them, but failed to commence work. The bete noir of the report is that there are 330 discharged men stilt in idleness, waiting for some employment. This subject is drawn attention to because it is the duty of every man and woman in the community to assist the Department's efforts. It is readily seen how difficult it wilt be to assimilate a lai'ge body of men into the country's present industries, and to allow an accumulation of unemployed soldier s would create a condition having all the elements of extreme trouble. It would not be any ordinary crowd of unemployed, but a body of men of high spirit, conscious of having done their duty by their country, and determined that the coun try should do its duty by them, and everyone amongst u s with an eon of humane blood in our veins will not fail to realise his duty to those men. We can all help the Department in someway, but as the returning soldiers will be largely composed of men -accustomed to farm and general country work, the assistance of land owners would be particularly valuable. The Government realised the seriousness of the difficulties surrounding the question of returning many thousands of men to civil occupations, and the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department was the outcome. The objects and aims of the Department were ■stated in the House a few days ago by the Minister in charge. He said: "The Government established the Discharged Soldier s Information Department with thp object of assisting dis-

• chafed soldiers to secure suitable employment, and to obtain for them any •information for which they might stand I in need. Special committees have been set up in over thirty towns to assist -the Department in its duties. An officer of the Department boards each I transport immediately on its arrival at a New Zealand port, and hands t» each returning soldier a leaflet regarding land settlement, and a carer setting out the functions of the Returned Soldier s Information Department and the address of the officer m charge. At the same time particulars are obtained of the man's occupation and employer prior to enlistment, the nature of .his disability, and his New Zealand address, etc. Shortly before the man is discharged he is aigain interviewed en behalf of the Department and is handed a leaflet regarding matters of employment, training on Government farms, free tuition at technical schools, scheme of free training for clerks and bookkeepers, land settle ment, etc. The soldier's replies to the interviewing officer are noted in writing, including particulars of the employment the man feels fit for or is desirous of obtaining. On receipt of this report at the Head Office of the Department an effort is made to suitably place the man, particulars of whom are sent the secretary of the committee representing the Department in the town nearest to the soldier's address. Whenever a soldier is thus listed to a committee for employment a form is enclosed for cora.jjletion and return to Head Office, showing what employment -has been found for him and the wages to be paid, etc. The various committees furnish statements to the Head Office from time to time, and whenever necessary, reminders are sent by the officer in charge inquiring what has been done in any outstanding cass. A progress return, showing the operations of the Department, is published each week, and a copy is sent to each committee showing, inter alia, the number of men who have returned to New Zealand and how the cases have been dealt with, and also giving a schedule showing the number of men still charged afgtairist each committee as yet to be placed. The whole business of the Department is being, carried out, satisfactorily, but if future . developments render It necessary, branch offices of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department will be opened in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin" But most people will realise how short the Department's efforts may fall if the individual assistance tha« many can give is withheld.