DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1922, Page 5

DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS.

WORK SHOULD BE FOUND. CABINET MINISTERS APPROACHED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, March 29. A New Zealand R.S.A. deputation met Mr. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Labor, and Mr. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, and urged that the Government should find employment for partially disabled men, so as to give with the pensions, £3 per week for single and £4 for married men. Fit single men should be dismissed if necessary to enable work to be provided for these men who were unable to make a fight outside in time of economic stress. There were about a hundred such men in the Dominion. It was admitted most had already had jobs. The Ministers promised to have the matter discussed os soon as Mr. Massey returned. Mr. Coates said the two difficulties were employment at less than ordinary rates and the fact that most had already had jobs and lost them. Mr. Tripp, chairman pf the War Relief Association, and General MeGavin stated that closer supervision was necessary to prevent Imperial disabled soldiers coming to New Zealand. The Ministere pointed out that they could hardly be expected to discharge men to make room for soldiers, especially those who had had jobs and left them, nor could they admit that it was the duty of the Government to employ all disabled men; private employers must help. They agreed that the Gov-

ernment should do what it could, but a reply could not be given at once. Mr. Anderson said the Government was doing all it could for returned soldiers. He mentioned that a conference was held this week between Ministers and officers to meet unemployment, and proposalfl will be laid before Cabinet. In these soldiers will share.