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DISMISSALS
Soldier Preference
Involved
FEARS IN CANBERRA
Despite the assurance of the Com-
monwealth Government that it in-
tends to adhere firmly to its avowed
policy of preference to returned
soldiers it is known that a number
of returned men have already re-
ceived notice of dismissal, or will be
dismissed from the public service.
In consequence, some concern,
tinged with resentment, is felt in the
F.C.T. branch of the Returned
Soldiers' League for the welfare of
soldiers in Government employment.
It is stated that since the present
Government took over the reins of of-
fice three returned soldiers have re-
ceived notice of dismissal.
The latest to fall a victim to the
retrenchment axe is the officer in
charge of the joinery shop in Can-
berra (Mr. R. Rowe), who is the pre-
sident of the F.C.T. branch of the
R.S.S.I.L.A. Mr. Rowe's services
with the department will terminate
to-day, but he has three weeks' leave
due to him.
Mr. Rowe has occupied the posi-
tion of president of the league for the
past five years. He has been a tem-
porary employee of the Common-
wealth in Canberra for six years, hav-
ing resigned a permanent position in
the Western Australian public ser-
vice to come to Canberra.
When interviewed on the matter,
Mr. Rowe said last night: "I do not
attribute my dismissal to any recent
attitude of the Returned Soldiers'
League, but I feel that my position
in the service has not been improved
by the active part I have taken in
league affairs.
Declining to comment on the case
of any individual returned soldier, the
Public Service Commissioner (Mr. W.
J. Clemens) stated that there where
the services of returned soldiers in the
service had been dispensed with, it
was because temporary assistance was
no longer required.
Staff reorganisation, following, the
recent amalgamation of departments
will involve a large number of dis-
missals. Many temporary employees
are move or less reconciled to the in-
evitable. Permanent officers involved
in the reshuffle of departments feel
that their positions are insecure.
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