Disabled Soldiers Factory
Date of birth
Early 1930
Date of death
Late 1940
Biography
Disabled Soldiers Basketware Factory, on Read's Quay in Gisborne, an initiative started under the auspices of the Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment League.
Our research so far suggests that the workshop started in the early-1930s in a building (now demolished) on the river-side opposite the Borough Council Chambers and which was later used by the Sea Scouts.
In 1932 the Gisborne RSA was selling the basketware at a shop next to the Majestic Theatre. In 1938 a Diggers' Shop was set up in Ormonds' Motors Buildings, and by the following year it had moved to Miss Crossland's Art Shop in the Albion Buildings. Advertisements in the Gisborne Herald also indicate that in the 1940s baskets were sold at Tenbow House and Barwicks. It appears that the factory closed in the late 1940s.
accessed 11/12/2019 from: https://www.facebook.com/tairawhitimuseumgisborne/posts/2241464546173083
DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS PROBLEM OF FINDING WORK REPORT OF LOCAL VOCATIONAL OFFICER
For over three years committee consisting of Messrs E. J. Anderson, Ben Ellis, J. J. Clark, F. W. Mitchell, and F. Jones, M.P., with the registrar of pensions (Mr E. W. Fulton) and Vocational Guidance officer (Mr A. J. Gordon), has worked steadily in the interests of disabled ex-soldiers, acting as local advisory committee under the provisions of the Disabled Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment Act. The work has now been removed entirely from Government control and taken over by the Disabled Soldiers Re-establishment League, which has its headquarters in Wellington, and though under the new regime the personnel of the committee will be unchanged. Mr Gordon has severed his
connection with the work and new officer will shortly be appointed by the league. A comprehensive report of the work accomplished was presented to a meeting of the committee this week by Mr Gordon.
THE COMMITTEE’S WORK.
The report stated :—‘‘ The launching of scheme with its object the placing of disabled ex-soldiers in private employment could not have been commenced at more inopportune time than at the height of an economic depression such as this country was passing through. To expect employers of labour to fill vacancies normally held by physically fit men with unfit at a time when industries were, struggling for existence, with not even justifiable optimism for the near future, was both uneconomic and unbusinesslike. For the first year very minor degree of success was registered, totally insufficient to make any appreciable impression on the number requiring assistance. The avenues of employment for these men had been virtually closed, due not only to the existing economic conditions, but also to the physical and industrial disabilities they were suffering. Under the circumstances it became increasingly apparent that other means would have to be adopted to cope with the steady increase in Unemployment amongst these disabled men.
DISABLED SOLDIERS’ FACTORY.
The Disabled Soldiers’ Civil re-establishment Act did not provide for the employment of labour by the local advisory committees, and, furthermore, no measure of finance was available under the Act. Your committee, however, decided to investigate schemes or Industries in which disabled men could be employed and trained in trade of
commercial value to the community. In November, 1932, after thorough investigation, and with the assistance of the Otago Patriotic Committee, which generously provided the finance, your committee decided to establish and equip a factory in which disabled soldiers could be trained in the manufacture of fibre cases and general leather goods for trade purposes. This factory has now been in operation one year and eight months, and very definite progress has been made, the number of men employed fluctuating with the market requirements for the goods manufactured. At times twelve have been employed, in connection with this factory.
BENEFITS TO MEN.
Some of these men are now sufficiently trained in this trade to enable them to take positions in similar trades when opportunities occur. The reductions in the economic tensions of these men alone, through their employment, have amounted to very considerable sum, and have contributed very materially towards the general reduction in
taxation, but care will have to be exercised to see that the reductions in their pensions are not entirely out of proportion to their earnings, penalising them for their industry, and leaving them no incentive to work. There is evidence at the present time of very real danger in this respect, and it has been causing considerable concern. These men, owing to their disabilities, can never reach standard of efficiency comparable with that of the qualified tradesman, but, having been taught trade, their labour is of some commercial value, and generous allowances should be made under the pensions legislation for their discounted labour value. Every endeavour has been made
to use to their utmost their remaining earning ability, and to assist them to produce goods of high standard, comparable with competing firms, with the result that very definite progress has been made. Their turnover is increasing rapidly, and there is ample evidence that business firms which were reluctant to stock their goods at the
commencement are now definitely interested, whilst purchasing public is creating definite demand.
EXTENSION OF SCHEME.
This has not been achieved without strenuous work and study, not only of the, disabled men’s abilities and disabilities but also the general trade requirements. Keeping always steadily in view the considerable extensions in the near future, see no reason why the present scheme should not be extended from time to time until a group of industries involving numerous lines of manufacture and employing large number of disabled men should not be successfully controlled and operated on remunerative basis, acting as training establishments for partially disabled exsoldiers, and thereafter for those civilly disabled. I think there is every reason for your committee to be gratified at
the success of the present factory scheme, commenced as it was in the midst of depression and staffed entirely by disabled and almost entirely unskilled labour.
THE COUNTRY’S DUTY.
Much has been said about this scheme of rehabilitation being too late, but am satisfied that this contention is not justified in view of the position of the returned soldier generally where industry demands the utmost efficiency, leaving no margin for those whose physical fitness has been impaired through war service, and whose efficiency will be prematurely affected to their detriment. The exacting demands of competitive industry to-day allow of no latitude to the employer of labour, the survival of industries depending very materially on the efficiency of the workers employed. It can readily be realised that the worker or tradesman whose physical fitness has been impaired is required to give way to the physically fit and more efficient younger man who did not, early in his career, encounter conditions such as war, with the result that we have
to-day amongst our unemployed very large percentage of ex-soldiers, the majority of whom have no claim whatso- ever to pension under the existing legislation, and who are known to fall, short of the exacting requirements of modern industry, this creating definite hardship to the men who saved this country from disaster far greater
than the present economic depression. The industrial unfitness the majority of these men is, undoubtedly due to war service and in view of such-it is tho bounden duty of this country to provide some effective measure of legislation and assistance of nature which will utilise profitably their remaining earning ability. It is in connection
with the unenviable position of these men more than the soldier pensioner that interested bodies in this country should turn their attention and render greater measure of assistance and fair measure of living to the man whose unenviable position to-day is due to tho after effects of his war service. It is not within my province to comment upon the sufficiency or otherwise of the existing pensions legislation, hut there are undoubtedly anomalies existing which are creating in some cases hardship having far-reaching
effects in the attitude and mental outlook not only of the disabled soldier concerned, but also the family and friends interested, rendering the task of rehabilitating these men extremely difficult. The soldier pensioner who, through war service, has an obvious disability such as the loss of or restricted use of limbs, is to-day practically unemployable, particularly where his services are .required., amongst machinery. Not only is he invariably inefficient, due to disabilities, hut he is also con- sidered to be source of danger to himself and others. This definitely restricts tho scope wherein these men can he employed, and in view of the fact that they are physically unsuited
for manual labour, their physical and economic disability is an exceedingly heavy one.
BETTER LEGISLATION NEEDED.
From personal knowledge of many of these men over period of years. as satisfied from my own observations that, owing to the mechanisation and increased efficiency of labour, their economic and physical disability has increased out of all proportion to the decreased ability of worker due to increased age. .Their pensions arc fixed by legislation, and in most cases remain stationary, and, whilst being generous in 1918, are to-day, in view of the above circumstances, insufficient as compensation for the disabilities they have to endure. It is quite evident from evidence supplied that many of these men are not optimistic regarding the future; in many cases there arc definite signs of neurasthenia, as the re- sult of impaired health due to mental strain. Many had, prior to enlistment, prospects of successful career, but 'now must eke out lifelong existence through shouldering the burden of others more richly endowed who never shared the risk of war. In view of the position as outlined in the foregoing, it is quite ap-, parent that the position of the returned soldier section of the public in New Zealand is far from satisfactory, neces- sitating more comprehensive legislation than is provided under the Soldiers Civil Re-establishment Act, together with considerable measure of finance which has not been forthcoming up to the present time. consider that the lack of these essentials has considerably hampered the work of re-establishing these men up to the present time. The task of providing for these men is national one, and must be handled likewise. To have achieved fair measure of success during the past three years under the paucity of legislation and lack of finance, must be gratifying to those interested. Now that the Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment League has taken over this work of establishing unemployed soldiers in employment, it is hoped that the work will be accelerated and that this body will be guided and profit considerably by the experience of the local committees, and also that the legislators, employers of labour, and the public generally will assist to lessen the burden of those men who so generously gave their services to their own detriment during national crisis.”
APPRECIATION EXPRESSED.
The chairman and members of, the committee congratulated Mr Gordon on tho work he had done during the past three years, and on the comprehensive nature of the report he had submitted. It was decided that minute of appreciation of his services should be prepared and the committee’s thanks to him should be placed on record.
accessed 11/12/2019 from: The Evening Star., No. 21,838 Dunedin, Saturday, September 29, 1934. Page 11. file:///C:/Users/mhansen-knarhoi/Downloads/ESD_19340929.pdf
Our research so far suggests that the workshop started in the early-1930s in a building (now demolished) on the river-side opposite the Borough Council Chambers and which was later used by the Sea Scouts.
In 1932 the Gisborne RSA was selling the basketware at a shop next to the Majestic Theatre. In 1938 a Diggers' Shop was set up in Ormonds' Motors Buildings, and by the following year it had moved to Miss Crossland's Art Shop in the Albion Buildings. Advertisements in the Gisborne Herald also indicate that in the 1940s baskets were sold at Tenbow House and Barwicks. It appears that the factory closed in the late 1940s.
accessed 11/12/2019 from: https://www.facebook.com/tairawhitimuseumgisborne/posts/2241464546173083
DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS PROBLEM OF FINDING WORK REPORT OF LOCAL VOCATIONAL OFFICER
For over three years committee consisting of Messrs E. J. Anderson, Ben Ellis, J. J. Clark, F. W. Mitchell, and F. Jones, M.P., with the registrar of pensions (Mr E. W. Fulton) and Vocational Guidance officer (Mr A. J. Gordon), has worked steadily in the interests of disabled ex-soldiers, acting as local advisory committee under the provisions of the Disabled Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment Act. The work has now been removed entirely from Government control and taken over by the Disabled Soldiers Re-establishment League, which has its headquarters in Wellington, and though under the new regime the personnel of the committee will be unchanged. Mr Gordon has severed his
connection with the work and new officer will shortly be appointed by the league. A comprehensive report of the work accomplished was presented to a meeting of the committee this week by Mr Gordon.
THE COMMITTEE’S WORK.
The report stated :—‘‘ The launching of scheme with its object the placing of disabled ex-soldiers in private employment could not have been commenced at more inopportune time than at the height of an economic depression such as this country was passing through. To expect employers of labour to fill vacancies normally held by physically fit men with unfit at a time when industries were, struggling for existence, with not even justifiable optimism for the near future, was both uneconomic and unbusinesslike. For the first year very minor degree of success was registered, totally insufficient to make any appreciable impression on the number requiring assistance. The avenues of employment for these men had been virtually closed, due not only to the existing economic conditions, but also to the physical and industrial disabilities they were suffering. Under the circumstances it became increasingly apparent that other means would have to be adopted to cope with the steady increase in Unemployment amongst these disabled men.
DISABLED SOLDIERS’ FACTORY.
The Disabled Soldiers’ Civil re-establishment Act did not provide for the employment of labour by the local advisory committees, and, furthermore, no measure of finance was available under the Act. Your committee, however, decided to investigate schemes or Industries in which disabled men could be employed and trained in trade of
commercial value to the community. In November, 1932, after thorough investigation, and with the assistance of the Otago Patriotic Committee, which generously provided the finance, your committee decided to establish and equip a factory in which disabled soldiers could be trained in the manufacture of fibre cases and general leather goods for trade purposes. This factory has now been in operation one year and eight months, and very definite progress has been made, the number of men employed fluctuating with the market requirements for the goods manufactured. At times twelve have been employed, in connection with this factory.
BENEFITS TO MEN.
Some of these men are now sufficiently trained in this trade to enable them to take positions in similar trades when opportunities occur. The reductions in the economic tensions of these men alone, through their employment, have amounted to very considerable sum, and have contributed very materially towards the general reduction in
taxation, but care will have to be exercised to see that the reductions in their pensions are not entirely out of proportion to their earnings, penalising them for their industry, and leaving them no incentive to work. There is evidence at the present time of very real danger in this respect, and it has been causing considerable concern. These men, owing to their disabilities, can never reach standard of efficiency comparable with that of the qualified tradesman, but, having been taught trade, their labour is of some commercial value, and generous allowances should be made under the pensions legislation for their discounted labour value. Every endeavour has been made
to use to their utmost their remaining earning ability, and to assist them to produce goods of high standard, comparable with competing firms, with the result that very definite progress has been made. Their turnover is increasing rapidly, and there is ample evidence that business firms which were reluctant to stock their goods at the
commencement are now definitely interested, whilst purchasing public is creating definite demand.
EXTENSION OF SCHEME.
This has not been achieved without strenuous work and study, not only of the, disabled men’s abilities and disabilities but also the general trade requirements. Keeping always steadily in view the considerable extensions in the near future, see no reason why the present scheme should not be extended from time to time until a group of industries involving numerous lines of manufacture and employing large number of disabled men should not be successfully controlled and operated on remunerative basis, acting as training establishments for partially disabled exsoldiers, and thereafter for those civilly disabled. I think there is every reason for your committee to be gratified at
the success of the present factory scheme, commenced as it was in the midst of depression and staffed entirely by disabled and almost entirely unskilled labour.
THE COUNTRY’S DUTY.
Much has been said about this scheme of rehabilitation being too late, but am satisfied that this contention is not justified in view of the position of the returned soldier generally where industry demands the utmost efficiency, leaving no margin for those whose physical fitness has been impaired through war service, and whose efficiency will be prematurely affected to their detriment. The exacting demands of competitive industry to-day allow of no latitude to the employer of labour, the survival of industries depending very materially on the efficiency of the workers employed. It can readily be realised that the worker or tradesman whose physical fitness has been impaired is required to give way to the physically fit and more efficient younger man who did not, early in his career, encounter conditions such as war, with the result that we have
to-day amongst our unemployed very large percentage of ex-soldiers, the majority of whom have no claim whatso- ever to pension under the existing legislation, and who are known to fall, short of the exacting requirements of modern industry, this creating definite hardship to the men who saved this country from disaster far greater
than the present economic depression. The industrial unfitness the majority of these men is, undoubtedly due to war service and in view of such-it is tho bounden duty of this country to provide some effective measure of legislation and assistance of nature which will utilise profitably their remaining earning ability. It is in connection
with the unenviable position of these men more than the soldier pensioner that interested bodies in this country should turn their attention and render greater measure of assistance and fair measure of living to the man whose unenviable position to-day is due to tho after effects of his war service. It is not within my province to comment upon the sufficiency or otherwise of the existing pensions legislation, hut there are undoubtedly anomalies existing which are creating in some cases hardship having far-reaching
effects in the attitude and mental outlook not only of the disabled soldier concerned, but also the family and friends interested, rendering the task of rehabilitating these men extremely difficult. The soldier pensioner who, through war service, has an obvious disability such as the loss of or restricted use of limbs, is to-day practically unemployable, particularly where his services are .required., amongst machinery. Not only is he invariably inefficient, due to disabilities, hut he is also con- sidered to be source of danger to himself and others. This definitely restricts tho scope wherein these men can he employed, and in view of the fact that they are physically unsuited
for manual labour, their physical and economic disability is an exceedingly heavy one.
BETTER LEGISLATION NEEDED.
From personal knowledge of many of these men over period of years. as satisfied from my own observations that, owing to the mechanisation and increased efficiency of labour, their economic and physical disability has increased out of all proportion to the decreased ability of worker due to increased age. .Their pensions arc fixed by legislation, and in most cases remain stationary, and, whilst being generous in 1918, are to-day, in view of the above circumstances, insufficient as compensation for the disabilities they have to endure. It is quite evident from evidence supplied that many of these men are not optimistic regarding the future; in many cases there arc definite signs of neurasthenia, as the re- sult of impaired health due to mental strain. Many had, prior to enlistment, prospects of successful career, but 'now must eke out lifelong existence through shouldering the burden of others more richly endowed who never shared the risk of war. In view of the position as outlined in the foregoing, it is quite ap-, parent that the position of the returned soldier section of the public in New Zealand is far from satisfactory, neces- sitating more comprehensive legislation than is provided under the Soldiers Civil Re-establishment Act, together with considerable measure of finance which has not been forthcoming up to the present time. consider that the lack of these essentials has considerably hampered the work of re-establishing these men up to the present time. The task of providing for these men is national one, and must be handled likewise. To have achieved fair measure of success during the past three years under the paucity of legislation and lack of finance, must be gratifying to those interested. Now that the Soldiers’ Civil Re-establishment League has taken over this work of establishing unemployed soldiers in employment, it is hoped that the work will be accelerated and that this body will be guided and profit considerably by the experience of the local committees, and also that the legislators, employers of labour, and the public generally will assist to lessen the burden of those men who so generously gave their services to their own detriment during national crisis.”
APPRECIATION EXPRESSED.
The chairman and members of, the committee congratulated Mr Gordon on tho work he had done during the past three years, and on the comprehensive nature of the report he had submitted. It was decided that minute of appreciation of his services should be prepared and the committee’s thanks to him should be placed on record.
accessed 11/12/2019 from: The Evening Star., No. 21,838 Dunedin, Saturday, September 29, 1934. Page 11. file:///C:/Users/mhansen-knarhoi/Downloads/ESD_19340929.pdf
