WORK FOR SOLDIERS.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 15, 25 June 1920, Page 4

WORK FOR SOLDIERS.

The British Empire, for the first time in its history, had been engaged in a, national war, said General Sir William Birdwood at the New Zealand Club luncheon and the war had been fought by civilians in the garb of soldiers. New Zealand's need now was soldiers in the garb of civilians to undertake the work of development. His appeal to the soldiers was to shake off war apathy, to throw themselves energetically into the work before them, and to discountenance all attempts on the part of a-nybody to live on the reputation of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Ninety-nine and a half per cent. of the men were determined to work. The remaining half per cent. probably had not worked before the war, and the proper treatment for a man in that group was to take 'him by the scruff of the neck, and make him work. He should not be allowed to blacken the faces of good soldiers. The General mentioned that he had paid a visit to Trentham Hospital, where about 350 injured and maimed men were still receiving treatmeht. These men were detervnined to work and the community ouglit to encourage them and help them. The worst thing that could happen to a maimed or partially disabled man was to let his mind go fallow. It might seem brutal to tell a maimed man to get to work, but nobody could do the men a greater kindness than to assist them to work up to their capacity. Idleness was the worst thing that could happen to them. He desired, in this connection, to say a word to employers. Every war left a certain number oi men suffering from shell-shock or shaken nerves. The recent war, owing to its severe condtions and the very extensive uss of artillery, had affected the nerves of a very large number of men. These men might work well for a month or longer, and then break down temporarily. He would ask employers to be patient and sympathetic. Give the men a dozen chances or more if necessary. The employer should not turn . that man down even if patience were taxed to the utmost.