Letter from Lucy E Edwards to the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2017.6.113
Difficulty:
2

Page 1 / 7

CR8218 t Macpherson? Narrabeen Via Marlie 22/8/16 The Editor S. M. Herald Dear Sir I am exclosing on article, in two parts, which me husband has sent through for your consideration. Yours truly Lucy S. Bdwards Mrs E. W. Edwards
THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT (I) The Returning FFit Man From time to time Australian news percolates through the distances to the men on the Front. We have the seneral idea that the Government wish to anticipate the probable congestion of unemployed labour; they wish to use the unigue opportunity for placing men upon the land; and that they believe that the soldier has some preferential right to consideration in certain matters. May 1 outline the soldiers viewpoint as I believe it to be7 A great point to be recognised by those at home, and one which has already marred the effectiveness of certain well intentioned actions in the interests in the interests of the soldiers is this there is practically no man on the front who dasires any unfair recompense for his share of the work of the war. Whatever right the soldier has to consideration, I balieve he pessassed that right before the war occurred, upon the grounds that he was presumably a good citizen. The war has only preved his citizenship and manhood and unless required by stress of circunstances, his good sitizenshi) is accepted as senuine until proved to be otherwise. The class represented on the frent is almest wholly that whose only asset in life is sither the trained mind or muscle, and not the coin of the realm. Thousands of able man fill mediccre positions and renain in uncongenial situations because of the want of necessary capital. Werking people have proved their ability in every sphare, and yet one of the illegical pesitions in our past history is that in which ability has been strangled for want of capital for necessary education and for davelepment in primary and sacendary production. Curicusly eneugh we, at the same time, cry out about racedegeneration and about the smallness of raw and manufactured products from Australia. Menwhide Meanwhile men tackle the seemingly impessible and arrive at a success more or less qualified, but with the yoke of a broken censtitution and a life which is certainly shortened. Those who de not take the strands of opportunity available to them so to swell the velune of race dageneracy in its every phase. The Kaiser has lifted the lid off Hell. By the light of the Inferne we Australians see each other in the sense somewhat of a Brotherhood. The instincts of men in a natienal crisis tend to produce the true damecracy. The returning seldier may have no capital. His line of life may not be self-chosen. If the congeneality of his environmant bears any relation to the extent of his ability and enargy it is better that he should stay in the position he occupted before. If he knews he is in a wrong position he has a right to consideration for epportunity semewhat in relation to his instincps and ability. The need for some national schene with such ebjects in view is best exemplified by the spectacie of thousands of man living upon the interests on defarred payments on leans, land salas, machinery etc This interest represents the effort of tha I would bement to make goed in their lives. Speaking mere graphically, it is the unnecessary
(2 THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT (I) The Returning Fit Men sweating of their life bleed. The schemes suggested by the Government are land settlement, and the financing of reasenable private propositions. The latter phase is most essential and may preve the more popular. Hewever, it will need a greup of wise, disintarested, and practical business men to avoid wastage of public funds. In land settlement in the past the Governments have made several serious mistakes which have, given something in the nature of humour to the whole subject. Unsuitable arsas have been chesen, and in some otherwise suitable areas the blocks have been much too small. Rne proportion of applicants to the land available is the best indication of the inadequacy of the policy pursued. Again, the policy has savoured tee much of an immigration schame,mors or less in the guise of a genuine attempt at land sattlement. In the present instance two nistakes appear to have been made. In the latar stages of recruiting spacial premises appear to have been made to prespactive recruits in the way of land sattlement, along with the added remark whather they actually left Australia er etherwiser,Obvicusly such remarks brand the pelicy as baing suggested by ultarier metives, and also suggests something akin to panic in cartain circlas. Further, unless there is a defifate systan of prierity according to enlistment, the results will be werse than unfair in view of the varying lands and the acknowladged shertage for all requirement. Two days ago an Australian unit on the frent received enquiry cards inviting infermation, the reason for which is rather vague to anyene who has not kept in teuch with currant avents. These cards are issued by the Federal Parlianantary War Committee and have been handed to the man without commant. They are to be raturned threugh regimental channels. It is safe to say that the rasults will preve mest unfair to the man themselves and will dffeat the object in view. Even whars the enquiry is underssesd anchppreciated he will be semething mere than a brave seldier who will hand in a resume of his pesition in private life, available capital, etc; through Company channels. This is especially se because the enquiry is usually cennacted witha touch of the sunr en the part of the enquirer. Hewaver, the crowning facter lies in the fact that the prepesition has semshew gained for itself the suggestion of being in sems way a charity for brave seldiars. Failing a statement by the Officiers in autherity and whe have an intalligent grasf of the pasition, the course appears to be for the Gevernment to issue full and reliable particulars of the opportunity, and to invite private application. The cards issued in such a connection would preduce the rasults required. As matters stand new an invaluable eppertunity to the man individually, and to the country as a whele, is in danger of being irratreviably lest. The settlement schame must be whelchearted in erganisation,
THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT (I) The Returning Fit Man. including prebably greup systams of farming and also preliminary qualifying courses upen exparimental farns bufere end besemas eligible. At the memant of writing the thoughts of men at the frent are far from the quastion of anpleyment after the war. The majerity are yeung and are blassed with the pricaless eptimism of youth. It is curtain however that the Gevarnment, or any Cemmittae centrelly ing public funds in the intarasts of the man, will find that their offort is appreciated to the fullest extant se long as the principles are censistent with their senss of manhoed. Thase afferts will be accepted in the same gratsful spirit in which they have accepted the generous and whelchearted werk of se many of the weman Telk at hems during the isustradte, crisis. Australia has a unigue eppertunity. Can her people lay hald of 1t7. About 1,200 words
THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT (2) The Returning Unfit Man' More impertant than the schemes tewards banafiting the raturned fitcseldier, by halping him on the land and by ether metheds which are suggested by their practicability, are these schames which are designed to mast the naads of these man who unfortunately are classed as unfit From the seldiers viewpeint thars is one seurce of halp which appears to be entirely overlooked, and it is ene which is applicable to a large prepertion of the man who have laft for the frent. It is safe to say that every seldier who has put in ene years active service will be, in the matter of censtitution, probably five years elder as a result. The ratis of disablement in censtitution increases with the age of the man, and also the susceptabilities of different man to the trying cenditions experienced. What is going to be dene with these man? What propertion of physical unsoundness must they shew, before their incraased handicap will be racegnisedf Many of these man have dane nearly twe years service. Many are married men, and at the time of their departure the future of their families was not assured. Their little hemas were net yet paid for. Thase elder and thinking man were not led away by the desire for adventure. They had mest to less by the less of the war. The first year men recegnised the saricusness of the pesition in greater degree than the Gevernment itself appeared to de. The twe or three newspapers which acknowledged the pesstion as it staed in that first year ware strangely alone amongst a werld of babbling peliticians and eptimistic newspapers. It is no excuse that England was slewer England has drawbacks which 1 trust Australia will never knew. We have admitted that the average man at the war laid down his teels as they werefand he left his unfinished life to a problematical futurs. The yeunger men can take up the strands of their life with cemparatively little treuble. The man whe have suffered will be for ever handicapped and the eldar men will be Ftee eldr same five, ten, or mere years sarlier than they expected. Are thass men being previded for where necessary? Can it be that, the men having gone to the frent, their intarests as individuals are fergettent Unfartunataly, histery is a very petent thing, even if it will net be allowed to apply in this war,, It will be arguad that it is the duty of the Dector to return the medically unfit: Ves The Dacter deas return them- when they are unfit. Imagine the pesition of the Dector before whem ane Daradas. He is under distinct erders, which to the civil mind must appear unnecessarily strict. These ordars must be strict for laad-swimming is mest prevalent in every sphare of army servics. If the Dectar dees net dismiss the case without consideration, than he-makes mest sure that the man is really beyend active sarvice. Until the man reaches a cartain stage he is rarely sant on to a Madical Beard, because the Dectar is menng placed in and invidueus pesition should the man be returned for service. Many doctors will not take risks, though they knew that the man should
THE SOLDLERS VIEWPOINT (2) The Returning Unfit Men' se, in the interests of his futura: If Australia wishes to really invaluable service for the fighters at the frent, and in cidantally to save beth her own meney and also the natural pride and indeppandance of the men, why net appeint an Examining Tribunal en the frent, before whem a man may demand, through his C.O., to be Presented for examination? Further, make this Tribunal such that it may censider the private and heme intarasts as well. The pesition in 2 mans heme and family is not necessarily the same after an alapss of one or two years, as it was when ha left there. Dees the Gevernment realise that the wives and families of many men are paying to a shameful extent for the ceming victoryy- The innecents are paying the price of safety for the men who will not take part in the war, and whem the Gevernment has said, they nead not unless they velunteer to de se. Meanwhile many hemes are disintagrating and geing tewards disaster for the want of menay te meet increasing prices and fer want of the diraction and centrel of a mans hand in the heme. Naturally it is a big item to think of racalling men, and it must be brought inte play advisedly. Australia has already shattered ene lifaleng military regulation— let her censider this one. The present war stands alene, in that it is a call to the whele natien and net te a bedy of picked men fer an expeditienary Farce. Many of the yeung men are making mers menay eut of the war than they ever knew before. On the ether hand practically every married man is lesing mency to the war. A percantage are munitien werkers which the date of the preduction of the first shall in Australia, will justify their actien in leaving Australia in view of the instant call fer man for service. In these days the quastien was not se much ene of winning victery, but of avarting disastar. It would be mest unwise not to anticipate the caming wintar in France. A few of the man were in that of last year. The parcantage of men who want dewn to it in the Meter Transpert Units was very large, and their cenditions of life are better than that of mest of the fighting units. The men as a whele are prebably less fit new than a year age. Are we to allew these whe visibly are geing to pieces to put in a winter heraf is there ne ralease for them ether than that they reach the prascribed limit, er on the ether hand, commence that seul-searing pregramme of swinging the lead because their future interests demand a consideration which the Gevernment has failed to give to them. These are the type of men whe will held out to the vary limit if necessary. Is it necessary? The Gevernment in its rafusal of the Censcription Bill has said distinctly, Ne! But men are new, and will became in the futura, unfit by reasen of weunds and censtitutienal weakness. Te these men the incraase in the ameunt of the pensiens is mest gratifying. Suraly the Australian paeple ars playing the same well. I balieve that evary thinking seldier recegnises that in the matter of public funds it is bettar they were under one centrel. Effactive werk and undue expleitation are at ence centrelled. Experience teaches tee, that
THE SOLDLERS VIEYPOINT 12) The Returning Unfit Man the interests of the recipient are mers eften safeguarded by grants in the ferm of pansien than by setting ene up in business. It will need a cemmittee of wise and practical men to ferm an adjudicating beard in such matters. The seldier has ne quarrel with the Civil Sarvant as such unless he is a shirker alse. Hewever, it is generally acknowledged that the Civil Sarvant ebtains cartain privileges at the expense of the paeple, which privilages are net available to these eutside the Service. It is enly reasenahla that man who have rendered signal service to the country sleuld have profarance in futur appointments. In comparison, the fatiurs of these men is greater and they should, where their failure is pleved beyend question, by raplaced by men of greater valus to the country. At the same time the Gevernmant will find that there is a parcantage of men to whom the Civil Service is distastaful upon the greunds that its very priviligesfits certainty for the futurafand absence of cempetition tands to sap the manheed of mast of these whe enter it. Victerias effert tewards granting eppertunities for seldiers to enter the Educational Dapartment as Teachers ssems spacially Praisewerthy. In writing upon the above matters I wish the effert to be accepted as an honest ene in quaging the viawpeint, as gleaned frem the cemradeship of the man engaged on the frent. Whatever else happans, the man knew that the great bulk of the paeple have dene all they ceuld for them, and for the war, and they are cenfident that the future may be safely left in the hands of the paeple - their cemrades, whe have had parferce to stay at hems. Abeut 1425 werds Ernest W. Edwards

[*PR82/8*]
Macpherson St
Narrabeen
Via Manly
22/8/16
To
The Editor
"S. M. Herald"
Dear Sir
I am enclosing an
article, in two parts, which my
husband has sent through for 
your consideration.
Yours truly
Lucy E. Edwards
Mrs E. W. Edwards 

 

THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT   [*(1)*]
(I)
The Returning "Fit Men"
From time to time Australian news percolates through the distances
to the men on the Front. We have the general idea that the
Government wish to anticipate the probable congestion of unemployed
labour; they wish to use the unique opportunity for placing men
upon the land; and that they believe that the soldier has some
preferential right to consideration in certain matters. May I
outline the soldiers viewpoint as I believe it to be?
A great point to be recognised by those at home, and one which
has already marred the effectiveness of certain well intentioned
actions in the interests in the interests of the soldiers is this
there is practically no man on the front who desires any unfair
recompense for his share of the work of the war. Whatever right
the soldier has to consideration, I believe he possessed that right
before the war occurred, upon the grounds that he was presumably
a good citizen. The war has only proved his citizenship and manhood
and unless required by stress of circumstances, his good citizenship
is accepted as genuine until proved to be otherwise. The class
represented on the front is almost wholly that whose only asset in
life is either the trained mind or muscle, and not the coin of the
realm.
Thousands of able man fill mediocre positions and remain in
uncongenial situations because of the want of necessary capital.
Working people have proved their ability in every sphere, and yet
one of the illogical positions in our past history is that in which
ability has been strangled for want of capital for necessary
education and for development in primary and secondary production.
Curiously enough we, at the same time, cry out about race\degeneration
and about the smallness of raw and manufactured products from
Australia. Meanwhile Meanwhile men tackle the seemingly impossible
and arrive at a success more or less qualified, but with the yoke
of a broken constitution and a life which is certainly shortened.
Those who do not take the strands of opportunity available to them
go to swell the volume of race degeneracy in its every phase.
The Kaiser has lifted the lid off Hell. By the light of the
Inferno we Australians see each other in the sense somewhat of a
Brotherhood. The instincts of men in a national crisis tend to produ
produce the true democracy.
The returning soldier may have no capital. His line of life
may not be self-chosen. If the congeneality of his environment
bears any relation to the extent of his ability and energy it is
better that he should stay in the position he occupied before. If
he knows he is in a wrong position he has a right to consideration
for opportunity somewhat in relation to his instincts and ability.
The need for some national scheme with such objects in view is
best exemplified by the spectacle of thousands of men living upon
the interests on deferred payments on loans, land sales, machinery etc
This interest represents the effort of the"I would be"menx to make
good in their lives. Speaking more graphically, it is the unnecessary
 

 

 THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT    [*(2)*]
(I)
The Returning "Fit Men"
sweating of their life blood.
The schemes suggested by the Government are land settlement, and
the financing of reasonable private propositions. The latter phase
is most essential and may prove the more popular. However, it will
need a group of wise, disinterested, and practical business men to
avoid wastage of public funds.
In land settlement in the past the Governments have made
several serious mistakes which have, given something in the nature
of humour to the whole subject. Un_suitable areas have been chosen,
and in some otherwise suitable areas the blocks have been much too
small. The proportion of applicants to the land available is the
best indication of the inadequacy of the policy pursued. Again,
the policy has savoured too much of an immigration scheme, more or
less in the guise of a genuine attempt at land settlement.
In the present instance two mistakes appear to have been
made. In the later stages of recruiting special premises appear
to have been made to prospective recruits in the way of land
settlement, along with the added remark "whether they actually left
Australia or otherwise". Obviously such remarks brand the policy as
being suggested by ulterior motives, and also suggests something
akin to panic in certain circles. Further, unless there is a definite
system of priority according to enlistment, the results will be
worse than unfair in view of the varying lands and the acknowledged
shortage for all requirement.
Two days ago an Australian unit on the front received enquiry
cards inviting information, the reason for which is rather vague
to anyone who has not kept in touch with current events. These
cards are issued by the Federal Parliamentary War Committee and
have been handed to the man without comment. They are to be returned
through regimental channels. It is safe to say that the results
will prove most unfair to the men themselves and will defeat the
object in view. Even where the enquiry is understood and/appreciated
he will be something more than a brave soldier who will hand in a
resumé of his position in private life, available capital, etc; through
Company channels. This is especially so because the enquiry is
usually connected with"a touch of the sun" on the part of the
enquirer. However, the crowning factor lies in the fact that the
proposition has somehow gained for itself the suggestion of being
in some way a charity for brave soldiers. Failing a statement
by the Officers in authority and who have an intelligent grasp
of the position, the course appears to be for the Government to
issue full and reliable particulars of the opportunity, and to
invite private application. The cards issued in such a connection
would produce the results required. As matters stand now an
invaluable opportunity to the men individually, and to the country
as a whole, is in danger of being irretreviably lost.
The settlement scheme must be wholehearted in organisation,

 

THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT    [*(3)*]
(I)
The Returning "Fit Men".
including probably group systems of farming and also preliminary
qualifying courses upon experimental farms before one becomes
eligible.
At the moment of writing the thoughts of men at the front
are far from the question of employment after the war. The majority
are young and are blessed with the priceless optimism of youth.
It is certain however that the Government, or any Committee controlling 
public funds in the interests of the men, will find that their
effort is appreciated to the fullest extent so long as the
principles are consistent with their sense of manhood. These efforts
will be accepted in the same grateful spirit in which they have
accepted the generous and wholehearted work of so many of the women
folk at home during the crisisAustralia.  crisis. Australia has a
unique opportunity. Can her people lay hold of it?.
[*About 1,200 words*]

 

THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT    [*(1)*]
(2)
The Returning "Unfit Men"
More important than the schemes towards benefiting the returned
"fit" soldier, by helping him on the land and by other methods
which are suggested by their practicability, are these schemes
which are designed to meet the needs of these men who unfortunately
are classed as "unfit".
From the soldiers viewpoint there is one source of help which
appears to be entirely overlooked, and it is one which is applicable
to a large proportion of the men who have left for the front. It
is safe to say that every soldier who has put in one years active
service will be, in the matter of constitution, probably five years
older as a result. The ratis of disablement in constitution
increases with the age of the men, and also the susceptabilities
of different men to the trying conditions experienced. What is
going to be done with these men? What proportion of physical
unsoundness must they show, before their increased handicap will
be recognised? Many of these men have done nearly two years service.
Many are married men, and at the time of their departure the future
of their families was not assured. Their little homes were not yet
paid for. These older and thinking men were not led away by the
desire for adventure. They had most to lose by the loss of the war.
The first year men recognised the seriousness of the position in
greater degree than the Government itself appeared to do. The two
or three newspapers which acknowledged the position as it stood
in that first year were strangely alone amongst a world of babbling
politicians and optimistic newspapers. It is no excuse that England
was slower_ England has drawbacks which I trust Australia will
never know. We have admitted that the average man at the war laid
down his tools as they were, and he left his unfinished life to a
problematical future. The younger men can take up the strands of
their life with comparatively little trouble. The men who have
suffered will be for ever handicapped and the older men will be
"too old" some five, ten, or more years earlier than they expected.
Are these men being provided for where necessary? Can it be that,
the men having gone to the front, their interests as individuals
are forgotten? Unfortunately, history is a very potent thing, even
if it will not be allowed to apply in this war.
It will be argued that it is the duty of the Doctor to return
the "medically unfit". Yes' The Doctor does return them - when
they are unfit. Imagine the position of the Doctor before whom one
parades. He is under distinct orders, which to the civil mind must
appear unnecessarily strict. These orders must be strict for
"lead-swimming" is most prevalent in every sphere of army service.
If the Doctor does not dismiss the case without consideration, then
he makes most sure that the man is really beyond active service.
Until the man reaches a certain stage he is rarely sent on to a
Medical Board, because the Doctor is xxxxxx placed in an xx
inviduous position should the man be returned for service. Many
doctors will not take risks, though they know that the man should

 

THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT    [*(2)*]
(2)
The Returning "Unfit Men"
go, in the interests of his future. If Australia wishes to do a
really invaluable service for the fighters at the front, and incidentally
to save both her own money and also the natural pride
and indespendence of the men, why not appoint an Examining Tribunal
on the front, before whom a man may demand, through his C.O., to be
presented for examination? Further, make this Tribunal such that it
may consider the private and home interests as well. The position in
a man's home and family is not necessarily the same after an elapse
of one or two years, as it was when he left there. Does the Government
realise that the wives and families of many men are paying to a
shameful extent for the coming victory? The innocents are paying
the price of safety for the men who will not take part in the war,
and whom the Government has said, they need not unless they
volunteer to do so. Meanwhile many homes are disintegrating and
going towards disaster for the want of money to meet increasing
prices and for want of the direction and control of a man's hand in
the home. Naturally it is a big item to think of recalling men,
and it must be brought into play advisedly. Australia has already
shattered one lifelong military regulation _ let her consider this
one. The present war stands alone, in that it is a call to the
whole nation and not to a body of picked men for an expeditionary
force. Many of the young men are making more money out of the war
than they ever knew before. On the other hand practically every
married man is losing money to the war. A percentage are munition
workers which the date of the production of the first shell in
Australia, will justify their action in leaving Australia in view
of the instant call for men for service. In those days the question
was not so much one of winning victory, but of averting disaster.
It would be most unwise not to anticipate the coming winter in
France. A few of the man were in that of last year. The percentage
of men who went down to it in the Motor Transport Units was very
large, and their conditions of life are better than that of most of
the fighting units. The men as a whole are probably less fit now
than a year ago. Are we to allow those who visibly are going to
pieces to put in a winter here? Is there no release for them other
than that they reach the prescribed limit, or on the other hand,
commence that soul-searing programme of "swinging the lead" because
their future interests demand a consideration which the Government
has failed to give to them. These are the type of men who will hold
out to the very limit if necessary. Is it necessary? The Government
in its refusal of the Conscription Bill has said distinctly, No!
But men are now, and will become in the future, unfit by reason
of wounds and constitutional weakness. To these men the increase
in the amount of the pensions is most gratifying. Surely the
Australian people are playing the game well. I believe that every
thinking soldier recognises that in the matter of public funds it
is better they were under one control. Effective work and undue
exploitation are at once controlled. Experience teaches too, that

 

THE SOLDIERS VIEWPOINT    [*(3)*]
(2)
The Returning "Unfit Men"
the interests of the recipient are more often safeguarded by
grants in the form of pension than by setting one up in business.
It will need a committee of wise and practical men to form an
adjudicating board in such matters.
The soldier has no quarrel with the Civil Servant as such_
unless he is a shirker also. However, it is generally acknowledged
that the Civil Servant obtains certain privileges at the expense
of the people, which privileges are not available to these outside
the Service. It is only reasonable that men who have rendered
signal service to the country slould have preference in future
appointments. In comparison, the failure of these men is greater
and they should, where their failure is proved beyond question, be
replaced by men of greater value to the country. At the same time
the Government will find that there is a percentage of men to
whom the Civil Service is distasteful upon the grounds that its
very privileges, its certainty for the future, and absence of
competition tends to sap the manhood of most of those who enter it.
Victoria's effort towards granting opportunities for soldiers to
enter the Educational Department as Teachers seems specially
praiseworthy.
In writing upon the above matters I wish the effort to be
accepted as an honest one in guaging the viewpoint, as gleaned
from the comradeship of the men engaged on the front. Whatever
else happens, the men know that the great bulk of the people have
done all they could for them, and for the war, and they are confident
that the future may be safely left in the hands of the people -
their comrades, who have had perforce to stay at home.
About 1425 words
Ernest W. Edwards
  

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