UNEMPLOYED EX-SERVICE T11 N: A SUGGESTION TO FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—During the War many people " adopted." a lonely soldier with whom they kept in touch, a kindly act which was.greatly appreciated: Thinking of this, it occurred to me that some- thing on these lines might be done to relieve, to some extent, the appalling state of affairs with regard to the unemployed, well-educated, ex-Service men. There is plenty of scope for brains in modern farming, and I propose to start the move- ment by taking one man for a year to be trained as a farmer, particularly as to the breeding of pedigree stock and poultry. Ito will during this period receive free board-residence and, in fact, be treated in every respect as one of the premium pupils. Now, there must be thousands of farmers and stock- breeders in this country who could adopt a similar course, and I feel sure it is only necessary to suggest.it for them to do so. There are very many men whose careers were interrupted by the " call to arms" who have now the greatest difficulty not only in obtaining employment, but also in finding some- thing which has future prospects. This training assures the double purpose, and in any case gets them over the coming year, which promises to be a particularly bad one. Probably some farmers may think that they have already done enough. This may or may not be. Personally, I do not think it is possible for anyone to do too much, and I am sure if any ,farmer has seen, as I have, the devastated areas of Northern France and Belgium, he will realize what our country and farms would have been like but for the courage and devotion of our soldiers and sailors, and will readily respond to my appeal to extend their generosity of providing for a year for just one man who has helped to preserve our countryside from such a fate. I am sending a copy of this letter to the British Legion, 26 Eocleston Square, London, S.W.1, asking them to be good enough to receive offers and also applications and to deal with same.—I am, Sir, &c., E. BOSTOCE SMITH. " Heaselands," Haywards Heata, Susse.x.
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