National Equine De/ence League, New Southgate, N.
THE KING'S PROCLAMATION.
(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPEC-MO:01 SIR,—With reference to your short paragraph on the above in your issue of September 20th, I can.fully bear out your statement in regard to the hostility on the part of Trade Unions to the employment of disabled soldiers. In the case of the present Proclamation, which has been received by the employers with considerable enthusiasm, the Trade Unions have, as far as published reports are concerned, observeda discreet silence, notwithstanding the incidence of paying full Trade Union wages to disabled men in no way adversely affects the Unions. As long ago as May 13th last suggestions for the employment of disabled men on the percentage basis were forwarded to the Ministry of Labour by the Itchen and District Sub-Cominittee of the Local War Pensions Committee, but with this difference—that disabled men should receive wages proportionate only to their ability. It seems to me that the above s3-stem of payment is fair not only to thoemployers, but to the men themselves, who, I understand, are only too willing to accept it. Even according to the published accounts of the present scheme there are " reservations," and in regard to the Engineers' and Shipbuilders' Unions there is complete uncertainty. The proposed references to the Local Advisory Committees and the appropriate trade bodies will, from my experience, bring little help. The Engineers' and Shipbuilders' l'nions are, I understand, in favour of discontinuing the turther training of disabled men. The scheme, even as it stands, cannot succeed without the hearty co-operation of all Trade Unions. Do they approve of the scheme ? Will they support it ? If so, will they publicly declare their approval and issue instructions to their representatives to support it P I am, Sir, &c., H. G. SANDMAN, Rear-Admiral (retired). Summer House, Ramble, Hants.
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