23

H.—39

We set out as Table E in the appendix to this report a suggested constitution for this body, for which we suggest the name of " The Soldiers Civil Ke-establish-ment League." In Table D we set out for the guidance of the proposed League a classified summary of suggestions and information tendered to us by witnesses, and we direct careful attention to this useful list, and recommend its contents as a valuable contribution to the rehabilitation problem made by many citizens who appeared before us at the sittings of the Commission. Most of them spoke on aspects of the problem on which they were particularly well informed ; all of them impressed us by their ability, their earnestness, and their sympathy for the disabled ex-service man. The Industrially Disabled : A Collateral Advantage. We beg leave to refer, without labouring the point, to the possibilities offered by the formation of the League and experience of its working, of providing a useful object-lesson in view of the necessity of dealing with the problems of the industrially disabled and unemployed. A Distinctive Motto, or Seal, or Trade-mark. We have already stated in this report that there is evidence " that the sympathetic interest of the community in the returned soldier is waning, and, until it is again stimulated and organized, cannot be relied on by him as tending to offset his economic and industrial shortcomings." We desire, however, to communicate to Your Excellency the many hearty assurances we received of a willingness on the part of the community to redeem in full its promises to ex-service men, by a sympathetic and intelligent co-operation with the present rehabilitation inquiry and its outcome. These assurances came from responsible and representative citizens of all classes, and from all centres of the Dominion, and the witnesses convinced us that they meant earnestly what they said. We believe that the engagement of employment officers will be one effective step in the stimulation, amongst employers, of the required sentiment. We are of opinion that another most effective means of organizing this sympathy amongst citizens generally and directing it into useful channels would be the adoption by the proposed League of some distinctive motto, to be incorporated into a seal, or badge, or trade-mark to be used in connection with the sale of products, the sale of which will assist the employment of discharged soldiers. We suggest that if a carefully chosen and designed symbol is adopted, and care used to ensure that the public may rely on the authenticity of its use and the quality of the goods with which it is associated, an extremely valuable asset will be acquired. We suggest that the League sell goods as principal or as agent, or take part in campaigns for stimulating the sale of goods, and for such purposes authorize the use of its symbols, under the following circumstances or conditions : — («) Where the goods sold are the product of the labour of ex-soldiers : (h) Where the goods sold are manufactured and marketed pursuant to a scheme which involves the employment of ex-soldiers : (c) Where the League receives a commission for assisting in or stimulating the sale of goods which represent (1) new lines involving the minimum of interference with existing trade, or, (2) a policy to encourage the use of goods made or produced in New Zealand or the British Empire. In this connection we beg leave to refer Your Excellency to the trading suggestions and openings set out in Table D. QUESTION No. 4. Inquire and Report in relation to Cases where no Means are likely to enable such Persons to be able by their own Efforts partially or wholly to maintain themselves and their Dependants the best Means of affording Assistance to them. Answer. —Cases that fall within this category are, we think, naturally divisible into two classes. The first class comprises those who come within the provision of our Pensions Acts and are pensioners. As to those of these persons who are totally disabled, we have found that the pension provisions made by this country are adequate. As for the other pensioners*? within this? class —i.e., those whose total disability is not entirely due to war service—we have made recommendations