SITUATIONS VACANT

New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 289, 5 January 1945, Page 7

SITUATIONS VACANT

First Query of a Serviceman se XCUSE me, where can I get hold of a daily newspaper?" We had one with us, so handed it over to one of the service personnel who, with 218 others, arrived in Wellington from overseas for Christmas, "No," he said, by way of explanation, "T don’t want the racing news, but the situations vacant. I’m sorting myself out a good job." And there he sat, drinking tea, devouring cakes and, with equal gusto, the vacant positions columns. In this draft of returned men were 83 repatriated prisoners of war, 20 escaped prisoners of war, 30 sick and wounded men, 10 nurses, nine WAACS, 50 naval personnel, six wives of N.Z.E.F. men, a child, and 10 Duntroon cadets, The young job-seeker was too anxious about settling down again in New Zealand at the earliest possible moment to talk. He had been away a long time, He went down the columns, borrowed a pencil and marked a few likely items for further reference, and then remarked, with an anticipatory smile, "Plenty of jobs going here." We asked him about his life since he left New Zealand. With the skill of a trained diplomat he skated round various subjects for a quarter of an hour. All we could get from him was

that he had had a "pretty patchy time." It was "so-so, you know." Some parts were "just great," others were "not so hot. Gosh! but I’m glad to see old Wellington again." His name? No, he wouldn’t give it. "Some blokes," he said, "are pretty good at handing out their impressions. Me? I’m no good at all. But if you want to quote me at all, call me George. That might be anybody," He did deliver himself of one impression, however, and that was. the extraordinarily good fortune of New Zealand in missing a first-hand experience of bombs, shells and invading forces, "Not that I would like to see it any different," he said, "but I wouldn’t be surprised if one or two blokes could do with a little shake-up, just to let them know there’s a@ war on." % * reception to men and women who _ have returned from the fighting fronts was very warm and obviously appreciated. However, we saw some scenes of reunion which we hope will never need to be repeated again once the last victorious draft has come home, "Golly," a young sailor said to us, "what with all the excitement of getting back, I’ve forgotten to send a wire home. Where’s the place where you send these things?" We showed him and left him, crouching over the desk sending, probably, the longest telegram he had pencilled in his life.

E.R.

B.