VILLAGE CENTRES FOR DISABLED EX-SERVICE MEN.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") SIII,—NOIT that the problem of the unemployed is to receive immediate consideration, may I be allowed to bring to the notice of your readers the case of those whom measures for providing work and proposals for reviving trade cannot in any way benefit? I refer to those who were so disabled in the Great War as to be unemployable, and who cannot be absorbed into industry until their health and efficiency have been restored. The Village Centres Council is the only privato organization undertaking the work of helping, those men to help themselves; and by means of medical treatment, coupled with a course of
re-education both of mind and muscle, it has enabled over 400 men once again to earn their own livings. But there are still thousands who most urgently require such a course, and with- out further help the Council will have to curtail, rather than extend, its activities.
Compared with the huge sums that are, even now being sub- scribed for the relief of distress abroad, the sum of 450,000 seems small; but it would suffice permanently to establish the first and only Village Centre at Enham, near Andover, Hants, and to lay the foundations of another, thus bringing a new hope to the many awaiting admission. In hastening to the succour of the afflicted in foreign lands wo must not forget our duty to our own; and though there be starvation abroad, there is equal distress amongst those who answered the nation's call, but whose call the nation is now somewhat slow to answer. The Council has not the means to launch a "national appeal," and its work is comparatively little known; but if any of your readers require any further information about this work, it will be readily afforded on application to the Secretary at 10 Upper Woburn Place, W.C. 1, and in conclusion I will only add that any donations sent to me at that address will be most gratefully acknowledged.—I am, Sir, &c.,
FREDERICK MILNER, Vice-President and Hon. Treasurer. 10 Upper Woburn Place, .C. 1.
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