The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1917. WELFARE OF DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1917. WELFARE OF DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

Ever since the first voluntary enlist* ments were made in connection with tho Dominion's contribution of man power in defence of the Empire, there has been a growing feeling that no matter what the cost nwy; be, those of our men who have taken part in the war shall, when discharged from service, receive the best care and consideration that the country can provide. The greater the number of men sent away on service the stronger has become the determination of the people that those services shall not only be held in honored remembrance, but that the returned men shall find practical evidence of their country's appreciation of the great sacrifices made in defence of the Empire. The problem of finding suitable employment for New Zealand returned soldiers is one that has been occupying the serious attention of the Government's specially created department, which has 'been designed to furnish discharged soldiers with all the available information relative to obtaining a means of livelihood. It may be assumed that the returned men will consist of three main groups: (1) Thoße who will resume their previous occupations, their positions being kept open for them by their employers; (2) those who desire a change of occupation and are bent on taking up open air work; (3)' those who are unfitted for their former avocations and require employment specially suited to their physical powers. There will, of course., he other classes needing exceptional consideration, and doubtless many difficulties will arise that will tax the resourcefulness of the Government officials; but the country insists, and will insist, that every case shall be fully and fairly considered and tho best possible done for the men who have risked their all for their country. In a recent interview the AttorneyGeneral (Hon. A. L. Herdman), who administers the Discharged Soldiers' Department, dealt with the subject) very thoroughly, and it is satisfactory to find that he favors the principle of placing the affairs concerning returned soldiers under the care of one Minister. If satisfactory results are to be achieved that principle mUBt be carried out. At present Dominioji soldiers are enmeshed in quite a number of departmental administrative tapes. Tie Minister of Defence deals with the soldier whilst he is a soldier, and the War Pensioni Department is under his control. The Minister of Health provides hospitals and curative treatment for the disabled man. The Minister of Lands settles soldiers on the land, and the Discharged Soldiers' [lnformation Department finds the exsoldier employment and willingly acts as his guide by supplying him with informa tion and' by prosecuting inquiries for him. It is- obvious that nothing but chaos, friction and trouble would arise out of divided control, and that only under a single Minister can effective results be secured. The returned soldiers recognise this, and through their Association are making a strong point of single control. The taßk of dealing with the thousands of men returning after the war will be impossible unless a thoroughly well organised system is at work under capable and sympathetic officials. The continuance of the present custom of Government officials meeting the transports, speaking to each man, and giving him a card containing information as to the Discharged Soldiers' Department and the nature of the assistance which the 'Department affords,, will be out of the question; nor is it advisable to rely on the men being sent back in drafts at regular intervals to suit the convenience of Government officials. 'Without doubt our soldiers will be returned as promptly as possible after the war, and it- is possible that not only transports but also naval cruisers will be told off for this service, especially in view of the acuteness of the food problem. What is required is a system of classification, not on rigid but on elastic lines, so that the men before embarking for New. Zealand will be required to fil up forms (tho simpler the better), indicating the nature of the employment the# wish, $? follow, and the hejg they

are desirous 01 receiving from the Government. These could easily summarised and sent to the Dominion in advance of the men, so that there would bo no delay and no contusion on their arrival here. Xaturully, the wounded will require the very luest treatment available, and their future will, of course, depend on circumstances, there being ample time to decide during their convalescence. Whether our returned men will be properly treated must depend entirely on the fitness of the Departmental officers for their work. The country is in no mood to put up with any callousness or high-handedness in carrying out the imperative task of doing the very best wo can for "our boys." All we can do must be done and wo know it will be but as little compared with what our soldiers have done for us and the Empire. As far as can 'be gathered from the Minister's remarks the Department is working on the right lines, both as to the permanent employment of the men and during the transition stage. The public may be relied on to 'back up all beneficial efforts in this great cause and to help as far as they can in furthering the efforts of the Government on whom, however,, the onus must lie of satisfactorily dealing with a difficult but incvit:i'ii'> duty. (