20 SEPTEMBER 1919, Page 2

The King on Monday issued a proclamation charging employers to

engage disabled sailors and soldiers. and ordering- the names of employers who do so to be-inscribed on the King's National Roll. The Ministry of Labour-explained- at the same time that one place in •twenty in any establishment should be reserved for a disabled man, and that employers fulfilling the condition• would be permitted to use a special-design; with the words " National Scheme for Disabled -Men," on their business notepaper. It will thus be easy for the public to distinguish 'the patriotic from the unpatriotic employer. There are or will' be about 100,000 disabled men seeking, employment. As soon as trade revives, it should not be difficult to absorb them into the ranks of-in- dustry, now that the obligation has been-laid upon all employers. Mr. Rothband, who proposed the scheme early in the war, deserves great credit for his persistence in urging it upon the Government. • We must add, in fairness to the employers, that the difficulties have not all come from their side. There have been far too many reported cases of hostility on the part of Trade Unions to- the employment of disabled •soldiers. The Trade Unions as-well as the-employers-must accord exceptional treatment to the brave men who have fought for us all.