DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1918, Page 5

DISCHARGED SOLDIERS.

14,240 MEN RETURNED TO DATE. INTERESTING STATEMENT BY MINISTER IN CHARGE. A statement issued last week by the Attorney-General (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), who is the Minister in charge of the Discharged Soldiers' Information Department, shows that altogether 14,340 New Zealand soldiers, sick or wounded, have returned to the Dominion. When the previous return was made up on No vember 29 laat, the number of men that had arrived Iback from the front was 11,981, and the largest increase which the latest figures reveal is due to the recent arrival of five transports with some 22-80 men aboard. The details of the Minister's statement showing the department's classification of the returned men make interesting reading. Of the 14,240 men on the department's register, 10,195 have been disposed of; 1039 are under action, and 2406 : not yet ready for action. The lastmentioned figure includes over 2200 men who have returned to Nsw Zealand during the past fortnight. HOW CASES HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH. The following are the particulars of how the cases have been dealt with by the department: Men who have work to return to, or have re-enlisted or returned to military duty, etc., men placed in employment, 2199; men who have signed "assistance not required," 2404; left New Zealand or cannot ascertain address, 147; men who have not responded to repeated communications, and men who have accepted work the department found for them, but failed to start work, 894. Total, 10,195. The cases under action include: Reports upon cases not yet returned by officers making inquiries, 497; awaiting further advice (including men who have stated that they are net yet ready for work), 923; at present on employment wanted register (as per statement attached), 219. Total, 163!). The cases not ready for action: Men convalescing, not ready for employment, and not yet discharged by the Military Authorities, number 2400. Commenting upon the return to a "Times" representative yesterday, the Hon. Herdman said that very satisfactory work was being done by his department in the settlement of. the men who have returned. With the splendid assistance many employers of labor were giving, combined with the schemes prepared by the department for the reabsorption of the men, there were no difficulties immediately ahead of the department that could not be surmountel. If all employers of labor would notify the department when a man was wanted, they would not only be assisting the Government, but they would be discharging very good service to their country. Of the 21!) men shown in the above statement as need employment, most of them, said the Minister, had been just discharged from the army. Until men were actually discharged the department could not take any action in regard to securing them employment. He had no doubt that during the present month all these men would be absorbed in some employment suited to their qualifications and condition.